Many thanks for visiting my page. I appreciate just how many sponsorship requests everyone receives these days - almost every day, it seems, someone you know is making a huge effort to raise money for a very worthy cause. And no one's goodwill, or spare funds, are inexhaustible. Nevertheless, I do hope you'll give this request some thought.

Our daughter Alexandra was stillborn, at full term, on 15th April 2012. Sadly, we are very far from the only expectant parents to suffer this fate: eleven babies are stillborn every day in Britain (around 4,000 a year) and daily another six die neo-natally. Stillbirth is ten times more common than cot-death.

The charity Sands work to support those affected by stillbirth and neo-natal death, to research its causes and prevention, and to campaign for greater awareness.

On 9th June I will be running the St Albans half-marathon to raise money for Sands, and in memory of Alexandra. Rosalind and I will be very grateful indeed for any support you can offer.

If you've not donated through Just Giving before, here's their official introduction to the site:

"Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity".

Thanks so much,

Maxie.