On 30th June 2017 it will be 5 years since my family and I had a simply heartbreaking day. It was the day we learnt that the baby I was carrying, had passed away, 5 days after her due date. Grace Cooper, was born in the early hours of 1st July, a perfect, beautiful 8lb 4oz baby girl . She was not breathing.

Every year since I have struggled to know what to do with myself over these 2 days. I am yet to find the answer. So having tried a variety of things for the last 4 years, this year I have decided to challenge myself physically and see if the endorphins kick in !! 

So on Friday 30th June, David and I will undertake a 50k cycle ride. We will ride a circular route from our home to the hospital where Grace was born. This is the place where we were able to spend a few very precious hours with her.

For those of you who know us well, you will appreciate that for David, 50k on a bike is an average Sunday morning ride, for me it's a slightly different matter ! However I figure, nothing can ever be as painful or difficult as that day 5 years ago.

As you have read I am undertaking this challenge for very personal reasons but I am going to also endeavour to raise some money for a charity. I have chosen the Max Appeal charity, (www.maxappeal.org.uk). This charity clearly doesn't relate to Grace but I have chosen this tiny, underfunded charity whom I am lucky enough to be aware of, again for personal reasons. They work tirelessly to support individuals, parents and professionals whose lives are touched by 22q deletion.

I really appreciate any support.