Me & my Challenge

I am going to run the Virgin London Marathon 2013, and I mean run (well jog).  I intend to get round without stopping and am aiming for a time of under 6 hours (maybe less).  I am extremely lucky to have been able to carry forward my ballot entry after my injury which took me out of 2012, this allows me to choose the charities I wish to run for.

This is a very personal challenge for my family and I.  Most of you know that 2010 was a very difficult year.  Mark and I very sadly lost our beautiful little girl Sophie Ellen Kentish who was still born at 39 weeks on 2nd February 2010. It is one of the most difficult, heart wrenching things I have ever had to go through and hopefully will never have anything as devastating again.  We mentally struggled through another pregnancy and our gorgeous little Samuel was safely delivered (although not without complication  on the 10th May 2011 four years to the day from the birth of his big brother, Jack!!

Sophie had a 'true knot' in her cord meaning that at some point in the last few days of pregnancy her lifeline was taken from her.  Still birth is all too common - 17 babies are still born or die shortly after birth every day in the UK but it is not spoken about - the subject is almost taboo.

I had fantastic support from SANDS and The Horton Maternity Hospital (part of  Oxford Radcliffe) and that is why the majority of the money you donate will go to these two charities - I want to do what I can to help all those other families that will go through the same scenario as me.

Why will I complete this Marathon in 2013?...... simple..... my motivation to run for my daughters memory and the money it will raise.  There is a lot of time to think when you are out for a 3 hour run.  I am pleased that we can have a big say in how the money is spent at the Horton hospital Maternity wing.  I have though a great deal about what I can do to help people in our situation - there is nothing I can do to replace the loss they will have or to help them grieve any easier.  What I can do is to help them have more lasting memories of the all to brief time they have with their child.  The money you have donation will go towards 'hand and foot' castings, I wish this had been offered to us......

You will notice that I am also running to support two other charities ~ Muscular Dystrophy and Macmillan ~ these are also charities very close to my heart.  My Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer - she is now thankfully in recovery.  Our best friend's son has Muscular Dystropy and some of you may remember Mark running in 2009 for this charity, as I wish to do.

Any donation gratefully received no matter how big or small 

Thank you all

Sx