Running for Avery and Harrison 💜💙
Hi, it’s me , Mandi.. and if you know me … you know I have never ran in my entire life.
But this month is so so special and important to me for so many reasons. This is for two of the most special and closest people in my life..
In 2016 my best friend in the world, Nicole, endured the worst day of her life … her baby girl was born sleeping at 28 weeks 💔 her name is Avery Grace.
The shock and grief was unfathomable, but the fact they got to spend precious time and make memories with Avery meant everything to them.
In 2022 my beautiful sister in law, Katie, gave birth to a perfect baby boy.. my nephew, Harrison Thomas Clayton. He truly was the most beautiful baby boy ever. Then at 5 weeks old he died completely unexpectedly… and it took months and months of agony until we finally found out it was due to an undiagnosed heart defect.
Afterwards, their experience was beyond upsetting.. their time spent with Harrison was limited to due to lack of cold cots, strange “visiting hours”, and tragically long autopsy waits. Absolutely devastating .
As a former midwife, I know the incredible work that SANDS does every single day to support families who suffer baby loss tragedies like my best friend and sister and brother in law did 💔
But we know it can always be better.
And so I am committed to taking part in Sands Ribbon Run 10k which takes place during Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) for every much-loved baby sadly not here today.
Sands ensure that everyone affected by the loss of a baby gets the support they need and deserve when facing the toughest of times. They campaign for change, provide training for midwives and healthcare professionals, and support research so that fewer babies die and so that less families experience the tragedy of losing their baby. Anything you are able to donate means so much.
Thank you.
£20 - could provide a bereaved family with a memory box to help create and keep safe precious and lasting memories of their baby.
£35 - could answer a call from someone reaching out for support who has been through pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
£100 - could help ensure every hospital in the UK has a dedicated Sands volunteer to help healthcare professionals access our training, guidance and support
I cannot even put into words how important and special this cause is.. not only to me.. but to the entire of the UK.
Approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth in the UK. 💔
And half of adults in the UK report that they, or someone they know, have experienced pregnancy or baby loss.
If you would like to support me in raising money for this incredible charity who support bereaved families, trains healthcare staff and midwives, and campaigns to save babies' lives… then please donate anything you can 🫶🏼🤍
For Avery Grace Chidgey 💜 🕊️
and Harrison Thomas Clayton 🩵 🦊
