Losing Freddie was one of the hardest things that has ever happened to me, if not the hardest! Losing Freddie, without hearing his voice, making him smile or making him laugh is something that I will always struggle with.

In Freddies memory, I am joining my Sister and Friends to take on the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing three mountains (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) in 24 hours!

Our aim is to fundraise for Abigail’s Footstep to enable them to continue their support of other families in their moment of need. Abigail's Footsteps aid the continued training and support of midwives, enabling them to be there for parents as best they can.

I am undertaking this challenge to give back to this cause that supported Jayne and I without request, in a life situation that nobody prepares for.

Though you might think a big organisation like the NHS is setup to support families through loss, and mental health battles, its the likes of small charities such as Abigail's Footsteps that have worked to improve the way bereaved parents are cared for by hospitals and to better educate midwives on how to care for grieving parents.

Abigail's Footsteps provided the Cold Cot, for the room (provided by Sands) which enabled us to spend as long as we wanted with Freddie after he was born, in an environment that didn't involve blue curtains and beeping machines. Without the Cold Cot, in the heat of June 2023, this would simply not have been possible.

Abigail's Footsteps funded our specialist baby loss counselling, which without, I cannot see how we would have got to where we are today. This counselling taught me to see that you do not get over the loss of a child (of any age), you learn to carry the loss with you.

When you join the club that no one wants to be a member of, its clear that losing a child can happen in many ways, with much trauma and stress left in its wake, the resolve is not one size fits all.

Freddie is with me every day, in both my mind and heart, and to be able to raise money in his name, helps to keep him alive and hopefully make a difference to someone else's life at the same time.

I am forever grateful for any donations, and would like to thank everyone who donates in advance. Please help us raise vital funds so that Abigail's Footsteps can continue to support bereaved families.

Thank you for reading and for your generosity.

www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk

To see more about Freddie's fund raising please see here: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/freddiewelch

A big thank you must also go to Andy our designated driver, and our organiser Bry! Without you the challenge wouldn't be possible!