My first daughter, Lauren Lily, would have been 14 years old in January 2022. Lauren was born prematurely at 24 weeks and despite the amazing care from the Neonatal team at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, passed way four days later.

I made a promise at Lauren's funeral that we would always remember her, always talk about her and that she would be a constant in our lives forever.

And so I decided to continue to honour this promise by getting off my backside and trying to run a half marathon. For those that know me, you will know I do a bit of jogging, but I have never run a half marathon, and before I get too old and infirm, I thought now was the time.

So this is for Lauren, it is for me, it's for Claire and Ruby too. But I thought that I could also try to help others who find themselves in the position we did. And a local charity called the TeddyRose Foundation do just that. Started and run by parents just like us, suffering just as we have, but wanting to help...

The TeddyRose Foundation supports families who have suffered the devastation of a baby loss. They provide donations to families such as 'Cuddle Blankets'. The blankets are specially adapted so that when the time comes for the families to say goodbye to their baby, the blankets can be separated in half. The family keep one half and the baby is snuggled up in the other.We donate 'Cuddle Blankets' to 10 bereavement units in the Midlands. We provide emotional support directly to families through our various platforms & face to face at our support groups.

If you can give something then I would very very thankful and rest easier knowing that another family who are grieving the loss of their child do so with a little bit of help and support. They will never forget it,  believe me.

Thanks,

Jon.