I'm super-excited to be running this year's London marathon on 27 April 2025. It's a huge personal challenge and something I've wanted to do for many years. I'm also very proud to be running to raise money for for Group B Strep Support, a charity that is close to my heart, and works tirelessly to save tiny lives. I hope that you might sponsor me to help me hit my fundraising target for this brilliant charity, and also give me the extra oomph to get my legs round the 26.2 mile course! Every single pound, euro and dollar donated is massively appreciated!

With huge love and mega thanks for your support! Mel x

Here's why I'm running for Group B Strep Support:

When I was pregnant with Mabel and Armel an antenatal test found that I was a carrier of Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a bacteria that usually causes no harm but in some cases can be passed to a baby during birth. I was lucky, my NHS trust routinely tested for GBS. Group B Strep Support gave me information and advice so that I could discuss everything with my midwife, receive protective antibiotics whilst in labour, and have my newborns monitored post-delivery. My little bambinos are now 18 and 16 years old and are living life!

Heartbreakingly, most GBS infections in babies are preventable. But a couple of decades on from being pregnant myself, expectant mothers are still not consistently given information about GBS, routine testing is not available on the NHS, and babies are still becoming poorly, sadly with some losing their lives. Here are the current (preventable) statistics:

– GBS is the most common cause of severe infection in newborn babies and babies under three months, causing sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis.

– On average, in the UK, at least two babies a day develop a GBS infection.

– One baby a week dies from their GBS infection.

– One baby a week survives with long-term physical and/or mental health disabilities.

A GBS test is simple and painless. If a woman is a carrier, antibiotics given to her during labour will significantly reduce the risk of GBS infection for her baby, and for most babies who develop signs of GBS prompt treatment will enable them to make a full recovery.

Group B Strep Support educates the public and health professionals about GBS to save tiny lives, and provides support to affected families. The charity continues to campaign for all expectant mothers in the UK to be informed about GBS as a routine part of their antenatal care. Group B Strep Support also wants all women to be offered a GBS test as part of a national screening programme. You can find out more about their great work here: https://gbss.org.uk

PS - If you know anyone who is pregnant:

Please share the Group B Strep Support website with them and let them know that if their NHS trust doesn't routinely test a private GBS test is available (about £50). If they are a GBS carrier, they can then work with their antenatal team to provide the best care for themself and their baby.