After Brett’s valiant efforts last year running the London Marathon in Lyra’s memory, our daughter Ophelia was inspired and wanted to contribute and raise money in her big sister’s memory. So, this weekend not only is Brett running the marathon again! but Ophelia (our 5 year old) and I are running the mini marathon (1 mile) together.

6 years ago we lost our first daughter Lyra. At 40 weeks we discovered her heart had stopped beating and from that moment our approach to life changed. It is very hard to describe the lasting impact her loss has had on us, our family and friends.

We were so lucky to have access to Sands who provided us and our families support in the months following and through subsequent pregnancies. Sands was a valuable resource for our friends and family, providing information, guidance on sensitivities, support networks etc. and most importantly made us feel less alone.

We also received amazing care from the maternity team at Hillingdon hospital who propped us up through discovering our loss, helping to deliver our beautiful little girl and even walking us out in to the big, wide world empty handed. The team were crucial to help us through successfully bringing 2, healthy, beautiful daughters in to the world.

Quite honestly, these support systems were vital and crucial to our mental and physical wellbeing. And that is why we are passionate that Sands are available to all who need their services. Babies are dying everyday, currently 4,500 babies die every year! Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, and for as long as they need support.

Lyra is thought of and discussed each day in our house and we are grateful that we can remember her with her two younger sisters.