Carly Maguire

Finley's short life mattered!

There are moments in life that divide everything into "before" and "after." For me, that moment came when my beautiful little boy, Finley, died from cot death at just four months old.

No words can truly describe what it feels like to lose your child. The day Finley died, my world shattered. The future I'd imagined disappeared in an instant, and I was left trying to survive a pain I never knew existed. Grief consumed me, and there were times I genuinely didn't know how I would get through another day.

In those darkest days, SANDS became a lifeline.

They gave me counselling when I needed someone to listen. They put me in touch with other bereaved parents who understood my pain without me having to explain it. They reminded me that although I felt completely alone, I wasn't. They gave me compassion, understanding, and hope at a time when I couldn't see any for myself.

As the years passed, SANDS continued to walk alongside me. They gave me the opportunity to train as a bereaved parent counsellor, something I never imagined I would one day be able to do. Today, I have the privilege of supporting other parents who are facing the same unimaginable heartbreak. While I would never wish this journey on anyone, being able to sit beside another grieving parent and simply say, "I understand," is one of the most meaningful things I have ever done. That is only possible because SANDS believed in me and invested in me.

SANDS supports families after the devastating loss of a baby, whether through stillbirth, neonatal death, cot death, or other causes. They provide counselling, support groups, helplines, and resources when families need them most. They also fund vital research into baby loss and conditions like cot death, working tirelessly to find answers and save lives.

I am raising money because I know exactly how important this charity is. I have lived the heartbreak of losing a child, and I have experienced the comfort, kindness, and hope that SANDS brings to grieving families. Their support changed my life, and I want to help make sure they can continue changing the lives of others.

Every pound raised is for the parents who receive that life-changing phone call. For the families who leave hospital with empty arms. For the babies who will never be forgotten. And above all, every step I take and every pound I raise is for my beautiful Finley.

His life mattered. His memory matters. And through this fundraiser, I hope his legacy can help other families find the same support that helped me find my way through the darkest time of my life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, for sharing, and for supporting SANDS. It means more than words could ever say.