In October 2024, my wonderful children, Phoebe and Fenton were dealt the cruellest of hands as they faced the sudden and unexpected loss of their beloved dad, Conrad.

There was nothing, even in the wildest of imaginations that could have prepared us for the agonising months that were to follow.

No emotion was left unexplored, shock, anger, despair and an overwhelming feeling of the unfair loss.

As their mum, I felt unqualified to offer anything more than my love, support and constant reassurance as I attempted to plough through, on behalf of us all, with a stiff upper lip!

I knew I couldn't do this alone, and that's where the amazing Children's Bereavement Centre held out their arms.

They took us all in and gave us the space, time and support to enable us to move forward.

The path for these Children isn't easy to navigate, its an ever winding course of changeable terrain; they have no choice but to show up and put one foot in front of the other.

With this in mind, I am taking on the challenge of walking in their shoes, if only for a little while, but with the aim to giving something back.to this amazing Centre.

I'll be lacing up and taking on the Warrington Way 40 Mile Ultra Marathon.

To say I am terrified is an understatement, but comparatively, I have it easy!

The Children’s Bereavement Centre is a local registered charity providing early intervention support for children and young people, age 3-18, who are experiencing life-changing trauma due to the death or terminal-illness of someone they love. Based in Newark the charity has venues across Nottinghamshire and has been providing its unique range of specialist support in Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire for 16 years. During that time they have helped thousands of children and their families and years later they remain the only specific specialist bereavement service for 3-18 year olds in the area and they continue to fill a vital gap in local service provision.

How your donations will help the Children's Bereavement Centre

£10 could help fund a comfort bear which is given to all the children accessing support

£25 could pay for one play therapy session for a child

£50 could buy crafts and toys to help children express their grief

£100 could pay for memory books to help children remember someone who has died

Please help me say thank you for everything they have done for the 3 of us, I'm not sure how much far we would have come without them.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.