As some of you may know, at 17:03 on 5th June 2024, our little girl Freya was born sleeping just a few days short of 22 weeks. We are truly heartbroken that she can’t be with us here today and we struggle to comprehend that every single day.

In such tough times, the support offered throughout at York Teaching Hospital was exemplary, from the midwifes, consultants, bereavement counsellors to the ‘Butterfly Suite’, a room designed specifically for this scenario and the memory box which allowed us to make memories we will cherish for a lifetime.

For all the help we received, Imogen and I decided we wanted to give something back to those that helped us at our time of needs. This is where I floated the idea that I would run the Lyke Wake Route to raise valuable funds for SANDS (Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity) who raised a significant amount of the money required for the development of the ‘Butterfly Suite’ and are currently fundraising to upgrade aspects of the room to help others that have to go through a similar painful journey. Our target is £3000 (100% of funds to SANDS York)

The Lyke Wake Run is a 69km route (1300m climbing) directly across the North Yorkshire Moors, starting at Cod Beck and finishing at Ravenscar. I will be completing this run with close friends, Will (Running), Nick (Father-in-Law – Running) & Ollie (MTB Support!) on 31st August along with anyone else that wants to tag along for a stint.

Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, operates across the UK: supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby; working in partnership with health professionals to ensure that bereaved parents and families receive the best possible care; and promoting improvements in practice and funding research that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

We depend on the amazing energies of our supporters to raise the vital funds that we need to deliver the wide range of services that we offer. #TeamSands