Every day in the UK, 13 babies are lost before, during, or shortly after birth. In October, I’m walking 1,000,000 steps in their name.

Sands United FC Nottingham is a charity football team for men who have been affected by the loss of a baby (through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death) providing a supportive community space, where men share common experiences of grief and can talk about their loss when they are ready. The football itself is a way to bring people together, not the main focus.

As their proud ambassador, I'll be walking for teammates united by grief, resilience, and remembrance - to honour loved ones lost and the families who carry their memory every day.

The challenge will be:

- 1,000,000 steps in 31 days which will include:

- 1,000 steps in honour of each of the 403 babies whose lives are heartbreakingly cut short during this 31 day period

- 46,000 steps in honour of the babies remembered by my Sands United FC Nottingham teammates

- Refereeing the Sands United FC Nottingham vs Nottingham Forest Community Trust Baby Loss Awareness match on 12th October — a shared tribute led on the pitch.

The challenge started as 202,000 steps in 12 days, increased to half a million steps in 15 days, but a decision was made to keep driving awareness across the month leading to 1,000,000 steps.

Together, we’ll honour those loved and lost to close the challenge with one final act of remembrance.

We’re raising funds for SANDS, the leading UK charity supporting anyone affected by baby loss. Their work provides vital bereavement support, drives research, and helps break the silence around this deeply personal grief.

This challenge leads into Baby Loss Awareness Week (Oct 9–15) and the Global Wave of Light on October 15th.

Donate today. Honour every step. Every name matters.

#StepsInTheirName | #1000StepsUnited | #BabyLossAwareness