On the 6th October 2016 Niall & I left our flat expecting we would meet our first baby very soon. As parents to be we knew our lives were about to change but little did we know how it would turn out and change us forever.

After trying to find a heartbeat we heard the words ’I’m sorry there is nothing we can do’. With support and care from our amazing midwives Nicola and Sam we made it through the delivery and our baby girl, Matilda, was born still on the 7th October.

Finding out I was pregnant again in March 2017 was exciting but sadly pregnancy (and parenting) after loss is never the same. You know what can happen and take each day as it comes. At 16 weeks into my pregnancy we met Melissa and Olivia from the Perinatal loss team at UCH. From that day on we just hoped for success this time.

I was watched closely and following some changes in the scan results Melissa made the decision the time was right to deliver our baby. Not sure if fate or not but Emmeline arrived exactly one year later sharing her big sister’s birthday of the 7th October. It was another life changing day for us, our families and our amazing friends who have been so supportive.

I intended to run the London landmarks half marathon on the 25th March in memory of Matilda and for all those who’ve heard ‘I’m sorry’ but also to fundraise for the great work Melissa Whitten and her team do. I truly believe it is thanks to Melissa that we have Emme with us today. Despite completing my training I injured my tendon a few days before so am researching into another challenge.

Any support you can give towards this cause would mean the world to me. I want Melissa to continue her great work and research and we all know the NHS is continually challenged by budgets.