Story
On the 13th of June 2026, I will be running The Wall Ultramarathon, a challenging 70 mile (112KM) race from Carlisle to Gateshead that follows the historic Hadrian’s Wall. As a frequent runner, this will be an entirely new challenge for me, as I have never run further than a marathon in one go.
I am running this ultramarathon to raise funds for Fertility Network UK, a charity that holds deep significance for me. My partner and I faced a difficult seven-year fertility battle. In 2016, we were referred to a fertility unit after enduring multiple attempts at different medications and processes. In 2018, we experienced the joy of pregnancy, only to face the heartbreak of miscarriage several weeks later. This devastating blow was also a ray of hope; it showed us that pregnancy was possible.
The following four years were filled with mental and physical challenges—trips to the hospital, various failed medications, and the emotional rollercoaster of multiple unsuccessful IVF attempts. Just when we began to lose hope, we received wonderful news during our final round of IVF: my partner was pregnant again. After an incredibly anxious nine months, we welcomed our beautiful little girl into the world in June 2023. She has changed our lives in ways words cannot express.
I want to raise £1,500 for Fertility Network UK to support the 1 in 7 couples facing infertility. The funds raised will help provide private treatment grants, raise awareness and break stigma surrounding infertility, aid research for improved treatments, offer more support and counselling services, and work towards ending the postcode lottery around fertility treatment.
Our journey was incredibly tough; however, we are among the lucky ones who found success. There are still so many couples facing this journey who may not have such a positive outcome and are in desperate need of support. Please consider donating to help make a difference in their lives.