I am running the Cambridge Half Marathon for Petals, the baby loss counselling charity, in memory of my niece Eloise. Petals provide specialist counselling for women, men and couples who have suffered the devastating loss of a pregnancy or death of a baby, and they are a truly incredible charity.

In 2023 when Eloise was stillborn, Petals supported my brother and sister in law. Not only did it help them both massively, as their immediate family we were so grateful that they had professional support they needed, on top of the love we were trying to give too.

Eloise's death opened my eyes to a world I'd been sheltered from - like so many of us. But baby loss is common - 295 people go through it every single day in the UK. I am now determined that more people have access to specialist counselling following their losses. Every step I take is for Eloise and she is always in my mind when I am running, especially when it feels like a slog.

Petals delivers hundreds of counselling sessions every month, but they are turning away as many as 20 requests for support every week, purely down to a lack of funding. Through my work I speak to families regularly and I know the difference it makes, I also know the pain of being told Petals cannot help.

Each session costs Petals £80, I would like my sponsorship to fund as many sessions as possible, so many more parents can be supported. So every donation counts!

🌸£20 will contribute towards one counselling session for a bereaved family.

🌸£80 will fund one specialist counselling session for a bereaved family.

🌸£500 will fund a full counselling package for a bereaved family.