On 9th October, the first day of Baby Loss Awareness Week (BLAW), I’m running the Royal Parks half marathon, in memory of our son Benjamin and to raise funds for MAMA Academy. 

Benjamin would have been 3 this year, so I have taken on a new challenge for 2022. Benjamin was born on 14th February 2019, having contracted a virus called CMV during my pregnancy. He lived for 27 minutes, and those minutes profoundly changed me and my family's life forever. 

Although Benjamin didn’t get to stay, he is in everything I do. He will forever be the missing piece of my beautiful family and I miss him every moment of every day. I am so proud to be raising money in his name; every penny donated will keep me going through my training, and really does make a difference. 

I believe strongly in the power of education, so I am raising money to support MAMA Academy, the UK's Safer Pregnancy charity, for whom I am also a Trustee. MAMA make a very real difference, with the mission to empower all maternity professionals and expectant parents on stillbirth prevention methods to help more babies arrive safely. This is particularly powerful through the wellbeing wallets and pregnancy passports that educate about pregnancy whilst also holding medical notes.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, your donation means a huge amount to me, helping me make a difference in Benjamin's name, keeping me going through all the training, and sharing my love for him with all of you. Laura x