Why baby loss awareness matters to our family
Like many people, I believed that once you see a heartbeat, once you reach that early reassuring scan, you can finally relax. We learned, in the hardest way possible, that this isn’t always true.
Hayley and I conceived through private IVF after a long and emotional journey. Reaching pregnancy felt like something we had worked incredibly hard for, and when our six-week scan confirmed a heartbeat, we allowed ourselves to believe that the future we had been hoping for was beginning to take shape.
At our twelve-week scan, everything changed.
We were told there was no heartbeat. Our baby had stopped growing quietly, without any sign that something was wrong. In a single moment, the future we had been planning was gone, replaced by shock and a sadness that’s difficult to put into words.
The staff at Sharoe Green Hospital in Preston were kind and compassionate throughout. They gave us time, space, and care at a moment when nothing felt real, and for that we will always be grateful.
That day, we were given a small memory box from Aching Arms, donated by someone who had experienced baby loss before us. Inside were a few simple items, including a bear, a book, seeds, and smaller teddy bears. Small gestures, but deeply thoughtful ones, and a quiet reminder that we were not alone in what we were going through.
That evening, we had to tell our four-year-old son Teddy that he wouldn’t be getting the baby brother or sister we had spoken about. We explained that the baby wasn’t well and had gone to heaven, but that they loved him very much and wanted to give him a gift. We gave Teddy one of the small bears from the box, a gift from his sibling.
He slept with that bear that night. Although he was sad, what stayed with us was his instinctive kindness and care, offering comfort in his own small way when we needed it most.
That moment says a great deal about why baby loss awareness matters.
Baby loss doesn’t just affect parents. It reaches into families in ways people don’t always see or talk about. It affects siblings, relationships, and everyday life long after the initial shock has passed. Many families carry this quietly, while continuing to show up and get on with life as best they can.
For us, this experience sits within a longer IVF journey, one that has involved both hope and heartbreak. 2025 has been an emotional year for our family, bringing moments of great joy alongside deep sadness, often closer together than we ever expected.
But 2026 is a new year. A year we are choosing to approach with hope. And for us, that begins by gently sharing our experience and helping to raise awareness, so that fewer families feel alone in their grief.
This is why I’ve committed to running 2km every day in January, for every much-loved baby who is sadly not here today.
I’m doing this in support of Sands, who support families through baby loss, campaign for better care, provide training for healthcare professionals, and fund research to help reduce the number of babies lost and the number of families affected.
Anything you’re able to donate truly means more than we can express. Thank you for taking the time to read this, for your kindness, and for helping to raise awareness for a cause that now means a great deal to our family.
Our baby may not be here with us, but they are still part of our family. Still part of Teddy, and always remembered.
Our Achievements
Thank you to our Sponsors
£53
Jean Lee
£33
David Roberts
Good luck Ava and Chris. You got this. 💪💪🏃♀️🏃♀️ David, Catherine, Jasmine, Daisy and Poppy
£32
Mick N Shaz
Great cause mucker.
£32
Katie Johnson
Such a tough read but so proud of you for sharing your experience and raising awareness. Good luck with the running!
£32
Abdul Ali
£32
Julie & Brian Cooke
£27
Susan Eckersley
£27
James Lee
Jenny and L are sorry to hear your news
£27
Jill Croston
You so eloquently put your heartfelt family story, Chris, which touches us deeply. It’s such a wonderful and inspiring thing you are doing. We wish you all well going forward. Much love, The CROSTON’S xxx
£27
Jill Brady
Your story brought a tear to my eye for sure. I'm so sorry for the loss of your baby. This is a small donation for a very worthy cause. Sending love.
£27
Kath Roberts
Well done ava xxxxxxxx
£26
Anonymous
£26
Samantha Courty
£25
The Gilbert’s
Both you and Hayley have been through so much heartache over the last 12 months and we truly are so sorry. You don’t deserve it. A beautiful cause to raise money for, one that will and have helped so many grieving families. Go smash it Chris 🤛❤️
£25
Kerry Turner
My heart goes out to you, Hayley and Teddy. So proud of you for doing this Chris and for sharing and raising awareness. Much love, Kerry
£25
Christopher Ginn
£25
The Reid’s
A wonderful charity that has supported us in the past too. Sending love to you all, Emily, Callum, Florence & Luca
£25
Andrew Holdoway
Really sorry to hear this Chris, good luck on this challenge.
£22
Rob Holmes
Very best of luck Chris! The Holmes family are behind you all as always.
£22
The Oxleys
Our hearts really go out to you. Good luck with your challenge. Sending lots of love & hugs.
£22
Soph
Sending the biggest hugs to you all, so brave to share your families story and so selfless, know you will smash it x
£22
Ste Hesketh
Sending all my love to you. Good luck to you on your challenge xxx
£22
Hughes Family
Sending our love and thoughts xx
£22
Ava Roberts
£22
Tom Potter
Good luck 👌
£22
Dave O’riordan
Thinking of you both, and best of luck with the challenge x
£22
Karen Uttley
Good luck! Lots of love Karen, Ian, Scarlett and Dotty xxx
£22
Julie Fallon-turner
Good luck Ava very proud of you x ❤️
£22
Carolyn
Sending lots of love Hayley Chris & Teddy ♥️
£22
Denise Gareth Jake Elin Isaac
May feel like we are a long way away in OZ but you are always close in our hearts
£21
Rob Allen
Thanks Paul R for sharing! Good Luck Ava! from Rob & Charlotte
£21
Carol
Good luck on this challenge and a great cause ❤️
£20
Chris Twigg
Good Luck!
£20
Brogan Family
£20
Natalie, Rob & Raya
£18
Justine
Good luck you are amazing xx 😘
£17
Ann & Steve
Sending all our love Annie & Steve xxx
£15
Michelle Allred
Ava this is just amazing!! Remember you can do anything put your mind to! Got this and what a brilliant cause. Slay queen - lots of love Chelle Lee Bella and Bonnie
£15
Sophie Morris
Well done Ava!
£15
Matthew Atkinson
£12
Nic Ryder
Thank you for sharing your story and raising awareness. Wishing you the best of luck with your challenge xx
£11
Ellie, Ben, Effie And Ozzy
Good luck and huge hope and love for 2026 💕
£11
Jon Saward
Great stuff Ava - good luck!!
£11
Mrs Julia Gorton
Go Ava proud of you doing this especially for Aunty Laura's 5 babies we never got to see Good luck Ava love you Nanna and Grandad x
£11
Mark Abram
Thinking of you 3
£11
Sam Mensforth
Lots of love to you all xxx
£11
Lesley Williams
Much love 🤗
£11
Daisy (diane)
Hayley Chris and little man Teddy you are pure inspiration three bright lights shining to support other beautiful souls who have also felt the heartbreaking loss of a little one 🤗 Soo incredibly proud of you all 🙏🪽💕 X
£11
Linda Webb
£11
Charlotte Brockbank
Well done my friend, sharing your guys story will help others to share there's also! It's good to talk about it I know how hard it's been! Think you should do an office 2km on the days you are in!!!!
£11
Aoife Wright
Well done!!
£11
Clare Ryan
Sending lots of love and support for Jan ❤️❤️ amazing effort xxxx
£11
Katie Sutcliffe
£11
Marian Weekes
Good luck hope hope you raise loads for a great charity xx
£11
Darren Chadwick
£11
Helen Middleton
It’s so nice of you both to help others in their time of need Go for it and well done ❤️
£11
Mags Quilliam
Sending the best of wishes and thoughts to you and your family for your fundraiser.
£11
Andrew Sutton
Good luck with your running. All the best to you and the family x
£11
Vicky Byrne
Best of luck and it’s for a super cause, I’ve been there myself and it’s the hardest thing to deal with emotionally. So many people go through this but it isn’t often spoken about. Stay strong! Lots of love
£11
Phil Schofield
Really sorry to hear this, Chris & family. Sending love! 👼🏻
£11
Gillian Morris
What an amazing thing to do Ava! You should be very proud of yourself! You will smash this.
£11
Lisa & Andy Pee
♥️ sending you Hayley and Teddy lots of love, good luck with your challenge!!xx
£10
Brogan
Your story breaks my heart over and over. You are both so strong. This is an amazing thing to do. Sending lots of love and support. Thank you for sharing your story.
£10
Callum Millward
Good Luck :)
£10
Belinda Rourke
£10
Natalie Eccleston
Well Done Ava 💖
£10
Helen Harrison
Good luck with your running Hayley. I am thinking of you xx
£10
Hannah Cattermer
Thank you raising awareness through your story and good luck with the running!
£10
Kate Harrison
Sending lots of love.
£10
Rob F
Good Luck!
£6
Tracey Sims
Well done Chris
£6
Louise
Very moving story Chris, sending loads of support and lots of luck x
£6
Corinne Barker
Good Luck Ava X
£5
Jason Perkins
Well done Ava, great cause. Good luck!
£5
Anonymous
Good Luck
Hope this helps a little, good luck in your fundraising Mum and Dad x