For a long time now I have wanted to do the London to Brighton Bike Ride (call me crazy if you wish - I would have to agree with you on that one) but funnily enough I have never found anyone to complete it with me. But this year ... with not much persuading I have found someone and in fact not just 1 person a small team of us to complete the 2017 September bike ride. 

It took me a while to decide who I wanted to raise money for in doing this event, but hen on the 21st July of this year it dawned on me who I was going to be raising for and nothing would make me change my mind.

10 years ago on the above date my cousin, Ruth Sherman, gave birth to a beautiful tiny little girl, 10 tiny fingers and 10 tiny toes a beautiful face and a dinky little body, so much to look forward to with the new arrival although the only thing was she wasn't breathing. She was stillborn :( Finding out this news when on holiday in Cyprus with my family and being pregnant myself with my little girl I didn't know what to say or do. I didn't know what they were going through and couldn't even imagine being in their shoes. I still remember the day that Ruth sat down with me after watching Bethany roll over for the first time and told me everything that happened and showed pictures of her beautiful angel baby Jessica. They have not left my heart since that date. A short time after Jessica was born, TJSF was set up. 

What is TJSF?

The Jessica Sherman Foundations main aims are to:

- comfort and support anyone affected by early mis-carriage, stillbirth, neo-natal death or the death of a baby up to 1yr old with monthly support gatherings. We will also look to open a ‘get away’ that will offer counselling and memorial garden as well as activities for children and adults alike.
- raise much needed funds for research in the hope of reducing stillbirths.
- support hospitals and health professionals by holding education days/workshops and funding bereavement suites and specialist equiptment.
- raise awareness of stillbirth and neo-natal death.

Why has TJSF been set up?

Stillbirth and neo-natal death rates have been mostly unchanged for the best part of 25 years. We as a country are ranked in the top 5 of established countries with regards to stillbirth. As it stands now, 5.4 in every 1000 births are stillborn about half of these are unexplained. 

The reason for the ‘get away’ is to offer a place to go for either a day or a few days where there will be counselling on offer if wanted and the chance to speak to others. You may even find yourself helping someone else through their grief.

Over the past 10 years there have been fetes, dog shows, activities, christmas fayres and so much more to help raise money for this great cause, I would like to just give me personal touch to this cause and do something amazing and thrill seeking for me at the same time. 

If you could spare a small amount for this great cause and to push me along the route of my 54 mile bike ride that is coming up in just over a months time, it would be greatly received and used in the above ways and many many more. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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