As all of you know, mine and Amy’s precious first born daughter, devastatingly passed away when she was just 19 days old.

Mia lost her life after suffering significant brain damage that resulted from meningitis, caused by group-b strep (something that we have never heard of before, despite RCOG guidance being that all pregnant women should be made aware of this bacterium and its potential harm).

Since losing Mia, we have been doing lots of work to get Kingston Hospital to change how they inform parents about GBS, support new parents who have concerns over the health of their new-borns and we have also been trying to raise awareness of GBS throughout our friendship network.

It won’t surprise you that Amy has been the driving force behind a lot of this so now I want to really push myself and raise money for the incredible charity that has done so much for us, Shooting Star Children’s Hospice. I could have created even more excuses to get out on the golf course and done a 72-hole challenge, but instead I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone and putting on my running shoes to attempt a marathon. My brother Jim and great friend Dave Wiseman are taking on the Richmond marathon, with me.

Shooting Star have been an amazing support to us over an extended period of 3.5 years and we will be forever grateful. They rely so heavily on donations to support families like us as well as those with children suffering from long-term terminal illnesses. Some of the things they have done to support us:

- Helped facilitate us bringing Mia home one last time as we wanted her final moments surrounded by our love here rather than beeping hospital machines

- Cared for Mia at their Guildford hospice the week after her passing so we could visit her and process everything before she had to go to a funeral home

- Provided us with a support worker who has been someone we can turn to when we’ve been struggling or had challenging investigation meetings with the hospital

- Been our voice at one of the formal hospital review meetings that families are not able to attend

- Provided support and guidance ahead of and at Mia’s inquest

- Helped us create some special core memories with Louis

- Provided guidance on how we can answer Louis’ questions about his big sister and support him over the next few years

Jim, Dave and I would massively appreciate any donations you could spare towards supporting the amazing Shooting Star charity, to help us meet our target and do Mia proud.

Thank you!

Love you always, Mia 💜