I’m running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Petals – the baby loss counselling charity.

In December 2024, my wife and I experienced a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks. It was a sudden and unwanted step into a world of physical and emotional pain that we hadn’t expected, and couldn’t fully understand. We navigated it together as best we could, but there’s only so much one can do when grieving something so profound, and struggling to articulate your own feelings at the same time.

That’s where Petals came in.

They offered incredible support to my wife, through the physical process of miscarriage and the many months of emotional recovery that followed. They provided a safe, compassionate space when we needed it most.

We feel incredibly lucky to now be expecting again, with a due date in November 2025. Whilst we will never forget the baby we did not meet, running in October feels like a meaningful way to close one chapter and prepare to begin a new one, as Petals continue to support Rebecca until after birth.

Sadly, stories like ours are far from rare:

• 1 in 4 pregnancies in the UK end in miscarriage

• 1 in 200 babies are stillborn each year

• Over 5,000 pregnancies are ended for medical reasons annually

• 24 babies die shortly after birth every week

This is a heartbreak more common than most people realise and support like that offered by Petals is absolutely vital.

If you’re able, please consider supporting me and donating to Petals. Your support helps ensure that no one has to face baby loss alone.