Anyone who knows me will know that I am not a runner. The thought of running 13.1 miles next month is quite terrifying, but there is one reason I am determined to make it happen🤍

On 25th May 2025, my sister Ellie and her partner Josh went into hospital just days before Harlow was due to be born. They had packed their bags expecting to meet their beautiful baby girl, but instead they were told that her heartbeat had stopped.

Harlow was stillborn at 37 weeks.

She was my sister and Josh’s first baby, but she was also the first grandchild, first great-grandchild, first niece, and so much more. She was already so incredibly loved by all of us before we had even had the chance to meet her.

My sister had to give birth to her baby knowing that she wouldn’t get to take her home. Instead of bringing Harlow home, they had to plan her funeral. Instead of learning how to care for their newborn, they were faced with saying goodbye.

But in the middle of something so unimaginably heartbreaking, the Bluebell bereavement suite at Princess of Wales Hospital gave Ellie and Josh something incredibly important: somewhere they could stay with Harlow, away from the normal maternity environment, and spend precious time with their daughter.

They were able to hold her, read to her, sing to her, take photographs and make memories with her. They had days together as a family that they otherwise would never have had.

Those memories are something that can never be replaced.

But the suite now needs some love and investment of its own. There are things that would make such a difference to families going through this - even things as simple as having a fridge and being able to make the room more comfortable and homely in those days that seem impossible to survive.

So, I have decided to run the Manchester Half Marathon on October 4th to raise money to help give the suite the refresh it deserves. If I can help make even the smallest difference to anyone going through what Ellie, Josh and our family went through, it’ll make every mile worth it.

If you would like to support me, I’d be so grateful for any donation, no matter how small. If you can’t donate, even sharing this post would mean so much🤍

If you would like to find out more about the Bluebell Suite: https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/news/latest-news/princess-of-wales-hospital-maternity-services-opens-new-bereavement-suite-bluebell/