Zak Masters

For Luke with love ❤️

Running 50km for Luke and for Sands

In September, I’m taking on the Sands 50km challenge to raise money for Sands, a charity that is very close to my heart.

Thirty-one years ago, I lost my son, Luke, to stillbirth.

I have three children, two daughters and a son and although Luke never had the chance to grow up alongside them, he will always be their brother. We remember him every year on his birthday, and he has never been forgotten.

I often wonder what life would be like if Luke were here with us. When I watch my children together, I sometimes find myself wondering what it would have been like to see all four of them together, and the person Luke might have become.

Although 31 years have passed, Luke remains a very special part of our family. Life moves forward, but you never forget the child you lost.

When I lost Luke, there wasn’t really anywhere for me to turn for support. It was an incredibly difficult time, and I had to find my own way through it. Looking back, I know how valuable it would have been to have somewhere to go, somewhere where I could have found support from people who understood the unique experience of losing a baby.

That is one of the reasons Sands is so important to me.

Sands provides support to families who experience the loss of a baby, helping them through something that can feel incredibly lonely. I know from my own experience how much having somewhere to turn could have meant.

So, 31 years after losing Luke, I’m taking on the challenge of completing 50km run in September to raise as much as I can for Sands.

I’m doing it in memory of Luke, for his sisters and brother who will always remember him, and for all the babies who are loved and remembered by their families.

Every kilometre will be for Luke.

If you would like to support me, any donation, however big or small, would mean a great deal to me and will help Sands continue to be there for families when they need it most.

Thank you for reading Luke’s story and for supporting me.