My older sister Tai was tragically killed on the 2nd June 2019 in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in New Zealand, leaving behind her husband Scott and their two beautiful girls. Words can't describe what an amazing person she was, the most incredible mother, wife, sister, daughter, and midwife. 

In the months since Tai died I have struggled to keep my head above water. When her incredible friends, Rachel, Liz, Becky, Shona and Lexie ran to raise money in Tai's name in September 2019 I was so in awe but still couldn't see the wood for the trees. 

But the past few months myself and the lovely people I have roped in to join me (Lydia Cozens, Rosie Arnaud, Joe Thompson, Elisheba Marshall, Hal Boulter, Emma Cramp, Emma Headley, Ben Leslie, Josie Darwin & Matt Newton) have been trying to carry on Tai’s legacy and running in Tai's name – by training for a half marathon on October 11^th (two days before Tai’s birthday).

Tai loved running and before I started training for the marathon earlier this year, the last time I had run was with Tai around the woods near her house in New Zealand, so I like to think in some way I feel connected to her when I'm running.

We are running to raise money in Tai's name for the charity Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Sands works to reduce the number of babies dying and to provide bereavement support to parents and families who have lost a baby. As a midwife, Tai cared tirelessly for the mothers she looked after and their babies and I have never met someone who cared so much about their job even on her night shifts when she'd come back exhausted. She was especially passionate however about helping grieving mothers who had sadly lost their babies. There therefore doesn't seem a more fitting charity to fundraise for her in her name to keep her legacy going. 

Running a half marathon is not something I ever thought I'd do, especially considering I couldn't even run 5km a few weeks ago. But I've started training and while this is going to be a huge challenge, it will be more than worth it for every pound we can raise in Tai's name for Sands. Any donation is so gratefully received, so thank you in advance for your support while we train for the half in October.