Danielle Mckenna

My Activity Tracking

72
kms

My target 62 kms

Running 2k a day for Sands

As some of you will know, I lost our first baby, Lily in 2014. It was the most heartbreaking experience and something that changes you irreversibly. It is something that you simply don't ever get over, you simply adjust to live around it.

I have always honoured Lily in private ways but have wanted to do something bigger to raise money for the wonderful work that Sands do to help those affected by baby loss. Now feels like the right time, so I will be running 2k a day in January to raise money as part of a Sands initiative.

I hate running. My boobs are too big and my legs are too short but I hate the thought of families going through what I did unsupported even more. (I did also consider a kissathon or jumping out of a plane but this seems the most sensible option and will keep me out of trouble.) . . . And even I should be able to manage 2k 🤞🏼

It is only now with the healing help of my beautiful daughter Sadie, that I am strong enough to revisit and do something as confronting as this to help other people and honour Lily so publicly. I will never forget those who came with a lamp when I was in the dark and now I hope to be the same for others and start 2026 by making a difference in her memory.

I know this is a tough time of year financially but anything you're able to contribute would be truly appreciated. If you can't contribute money, then please send me music suggestions to run to, or join me on a run one day if you feel like holding my hand through this. If nothing else you'll get a laugh out of the fact I run like Phoebe in friends . . . Thanks so much for taking the time to support me ❤️

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My Achievements

Updated Profile Picture

Donated to myself

Shared page

Received First Donation

First run logged

Received 10 donations

Increased Fundraising Target

Completed it!

My Updates

We did it! ❤️

Saturday 31st Jan

Challenge completed. 31 days and 72km ran.

This experience has felt like a love note to my baby girl who was born sleeping. Lily changed my life and set me up to be the mother I am to Sadie. So much good has been done in her name and for that I am really proud . . . It just goes to show that some candles, once lit, never go out.

Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart for supporting me, financially, emotionally and for providing room for me to do something hard in a space where I felt really held by you all.

I am taking myself for a glass of champagne, hanging up my running shoes permanently and returning to the highest heels possible for the foreseeable . . .

Love ❤️

62k & £4,000

Monday 26th Jan

So pleased to have reached my distance target today of 62 km and have doubled my target in raising £4,000 for a fantastic charity. I still have a couple of days to go so will continue to push on, but wanted to thank everybody that's got me to this point! It really does mean the world to me ❤️

Ten days to go ❤️

Wednesday 21st Jan

I want to take a moment to praise a dear friend who bravely reached out this morning to explain they weren't in a position to donate money, but are proud of me, what I am running for, and cheering me on from the sidelines and also sent me a song to run to. I know fundraising by its very nature is a money led endeavour, but sometimes just the acknowledgement of what you are running for is just as important and it all helps push me on to complete this challenge. Thank you to everyone for all of your support no matter what form it comes in, it all counts ❤️

What it's all about ❤️

Friday 16th Jan

When you lose a baby, it isn't just that physical and emotional loss. It's the language you have to find to explain to others what happened to you. It's walking into shops or restaurants and that person you vaguely know asking where your baby is. It's planning a funeral for a baby that no one will attend. It's registering their death rather than their birth. It's the effect it has on the relationship with your partner and with yourself. It's the tactless things people say. It's knowing what to do with the nursery you've set up. It's your grief being able to clear a room in 0.4 seconds because people find it uncomfortable. It's the yearly anniversaries of your loss or the children in your circle that would have shared the same school year. It's wondering what they would have looked like and how different life might have been. It's finding strength to hope for a new future, but then feeling appalling guilty about moving forward. I can go on and on . . .

I know it's a tough read but that was and is my reality. I couldn't talk about it at the time. My heart wasn't just broken it was shattered. The psychological impact is lasting and Sands help with all of the above to make life a little easier for parents and grandparents when life is too painful to bear.

If you have donated, THANK YOU so much, I can't tell you how much you keep me going. If you haven't, then please support if you can. If you can't part with money then share my link and raise awareness. I really appreciate all of it. We all know someone who has been affected by baby loss, so please do it for them.

Sending love to all and especially those dealing with similar challenges. ❤️

Half way through my distance target

Wednesday 14th Jan

I'm really happy to say that yesterday I reached my halfway distance target. If you had told me a month ago I would have run 31k within the first two weeks of January I would never have believed it. Trust me I am a very reluctant runner. But. I am doing it and this is solely down to the importance of the the cause and all the love and support I've been shown by you guys. So THANK YOU so much. It's not been easy emotionally, the weather has not been on my side but I'm halfway there ❤️

Target reached

Monday 5th Jan

I'm ridiculously happy to say I reached my target by day 3 of my 31 day challenge. It's takes the pressure off me somewhat to have reached my goal, however I still would love to raise so much more for those in need and effected by baby loss. Please do donate if you are able, share the link and direct people to my page. Your encouragement in any form really helps me to keep going. Thank you to everyone for their support so far! X

Thank you

Friday 2nd Jan

Thanks to the kindness of so many I have almost reached my target and I'm incredibly touched to have such steadfast support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and hopefully we will get there and surpass it by the end of the month. Every single donation is massively appreciated ❤️

Running for Sands

Tuesday 30th Dec

Thank you to my Sponsors

£500

Howard Kosky

#thisgirlcsn ..you got this.. proud of you x

£159

Tom Crombie

A fantastic cause and brilliant achievement. Go smash it!

£159

Anonymous

£106

Harry Levy Amusement Contractor Limited

Good Luck from all at Harry Levy's xx

£106

KEEP ON DOIN WHATCHA DOIN GIRRRRL

£53.32

Susan Cooke

Well done. Great cause.

£53.32

Anonymous

£53.32

Leigh Anthony

£53.32

Angie Fry

Good luck ! Love Richard and Angie

£53.32

Sascha Safai

£53.32

Mrs Linda Lewis

Good Luck, tough challenge, but you can do it!

£37.47

Val Mckenna

Well done Danielle on raising so much money for such an amazing cause. Best wishes Margaret Mair xX

£32.23

Gemma Ruse

You absolute SUPERSTAR!! Finally got paid!!! Hugest congrats to you and your incredible resilience and determination… very proud friend

£32.23

We’re so proud of you Love Rosalyn, Mark & Jude xxx

£32.23

£27.05

So proud of you! Well done for making such a positive difference, you’re so incredibly inspiring!

£11.33

Georgie Baba

You’ve got this girllllll

£11.33

Emma Clough

£11.33

Lois X

Go Danielle 💪🥰xxx

£11.33

Jean O Gorman

What a wonderful start to your New Year Danielle x

£11.33

Ben

Go grlllllll!🩷🩷🩷

£11.33

Lexi Lockwood

£11.33

Anonymous

£11.33

Erin Haynes

£11.33

Jen

Well done Super Dan, you are amazing!!

£11.09

Diana Taylor Duvignau

Congrats darling for such an achievement!!!! Can you believe it, you ran all that and raised so much!!! Woohoo! You are capable of anything! 🙌Well done beautiful soul in helping so many other people! Here's a little extra, hope it helps 🙏 As for song choices, "yellow submarine" for when we used to singalong in your dads car and "chariots of fire" my dads' favorite (running;) film , flash back to when he used to make us run 😆, lots of love 😘😘

£10

Imo

Good Luck Dan x

£10

Silke Everszumrode

You got this!! Big hugs and stay strong!

£7.23

Gemma Gavin

£5

Sarah Hemingway

Great cause. Homeward stretch!! X

£5

Denisov Family

Best of luck! X

Danielle Mckenna

My Activity Tracking

My target 62 kms

Running 2k a day for Sands

Please Help MeReach My Goal

Raised

£4,636 + £382.11 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,000

Select amount to donate

Postal Address

Keep in touch

My Achievements

My Updates

We did it! ❤️

62k & £4,000

Ten days to go ❤️

What it's all about ❤️

Half way through my distance target

Target reached

Thank you

Running for Sands

Thank you to my Sponsors

Howard Kosky

Tom Crombie

Anonymous

Harry Levy Amusement Contractor Limited

Auntie Jackie

Sessie Xxx

Anna Whitton

Linda Banner

Michael Z

Val Mckenna

Andrew & Stina

Doreen

Bryan

Angela Byer

Zeta

Jamal

Paul Smith

Blaine T

Callen D

Sessie

Fiona Miller

Iona Reardon

Graham Langley-jones

Stewart Payne

Will Mckenna

The Scottmeister

Susan Cooke

Anonymous

Leigh Anthony

Angie Fry

Sascha Safai

Mrs Linda Lewis

Val Mckenna

Gemma Ruse

Sara Warren

Lindsi Healy

Ben Higham

Daphne

Katherine M Miles

Anonymous

Charlie Phelvin

Louise Small

Kimberley Swaby-burleigh

Dan Lawrence

The Holman-castle’s

Elizabeth Mortimer

Jacqueline Taylor

Kate Lee

Laura Caudery

Anna Hilton

Janet & Angus Bridge

Anonymous

Kate Wilde

Jennifer Mcmullen

Daisy & Frankie

Natalie

Zoë, James, Mila And Otis Xxx

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal