Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.  I am raising awareness and money for The Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS)

Well who would have thought it......Alison (FERG!) is going to run in public on streets.  Its mad, so there must be a good reason for it right? There is.

As many of you know on 23 November 2002 my beautiful son Ben was stillborn the day after he was due.  My family and friends were wonderfully supportive through an extremely painful and emotional time. The grief you feel as a parent when you lose a child is overwhelming and it takes you years to come to terms with it, some people never do.

Incredibly in the UK today, in spite of medical advances, many parents like Rob and I continue to have their lives turned upside down by the death of their baby. 17 babies a day are stillborn or die within the first twenty eight days of life!  For the past few years I have been involved with SANDS, primarily through wanting to meet others who had been through the same loss in the hope that it would help.  For me to be able to share my loss, grief, anger, torment and sadness with others who had been through the same experience was invaluable.  It was so helpful to be able to speak openly about our loss and how it made me feel with people who really empathised.

Over the years I have taken on a Befriending role and I hope that I have been able to give back a little of what I received - to just be there and listen and to understand.  For newly bereaved parents a loss is so devastating that to be able to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience makes them feel that they are no longer quite so alone.

I will be running (well thats the idea) the British 10k Run to try and raise money not only for the national charity but also for my local Sands group - Havering Sands.  We are actively involved with our local hospital Queens and recently aided the set up of a Bereavement Suite.  This enables parents who have suffered the loss of their child to have their own dedicated room in maternity.  Within the room we have provided baby clothes, memory boxes, moses basket, information on baby loss and just general little touches to try and make such a tragic time just that little bit more bearable.

Unfortunately, being located within the labour ward it still means that the parents can hear the cries of all of the newborn babies which have thankfully been delivered safely.  I am sure that you can all imagine how painful this must be to a parent who has just suffered the loss of their own child.  For those of you who are parents you will remember that during childbirth one of the very first things you listen out for at the delivery is that first cry when they are born into the world.  It reassures you of their safe arrival and brings joy to your heart.  I remember how it felt to go through labour and give birth to Ben but hear no sound, no cry - he laid in my arms, beautiful but asleep.  The pain was immense.

Our group are raising money towards aiding the soundproofing of  this suite which comes at considerable cost.  We are also continually raising funds in an effort to promote changes in antenatal practice and fund research that could help to reduce the loss of babies lives.  I would be so very grateful if you would consider sponsoring me as this charity is so very close to my heart.   Your contribution however small will be so appreciated.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: SANDS gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!