Ashleigh Adie

Why I’m Running 2K a Day for SANDS

Hi, I’m Ashleigh  and if you know me, you’ll know I’m not a runner.
Unless, of course, it’s the parents’ race at school sports day… then I’m absolutely sprinting that short distance to win. Anything longer than that? Normally a hard pass.

But lately, I’ve felt the need to get myself moving and be more active. So I decided to give running a go. And if I was going to start, 2K a day felt like a challenge that was manageable but still pushed me to do something out of my comfort zone.

I also wanted to do it for a reason, for a cause that truly matters. That’s why I’m running for SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)

In 2014, we lost our first Baby Adie, due to a part molar pregnancy. Then in 2021, we experienced loss again when we lost Ensley’s twin through vanishing twin syndrome. Although we never got to meet our babies, they were still our babies,  loved, wanted, and forever part of our family.

We are incredibly blessed to now have both of our girls, but that doesn’t take away the heartache that came before. Grief doesn’t have a timeline. The rebuilding, the learning how to feel happy again, and carrying both joy and loss at the same time is so hard.

SANDS supports families through the unimaginable. They help parents navigate grief, feel less alone, and know that their babies mattered. This charity helps so many families who have experienced baby loss, offering compassion, understanding, and support when it’s needed most.

So this 2K a day isn’t about becoming a runner overnight. It’s about showing up, moving forward, and doing something meaningful. It’s about remembering our Babies, and honouring all the babies who are gone but never forgotten.

Thank you for reading, for supporting, and for being part of this journey with me. 💛