The Sands Challenge Series was a set of four endurance events I set myself, and completed throughout 2013 to help raise much needed awareness and funds for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.
Tragically, in December 2012 Jen and I lost our baby daughter, Grace, who was stillborn. The support and information Sands were able to offer us was vital in helping us deal with our sad loss.
Every day in the UK, around 14 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth - that's over 6,500 a year and is one of the highest stillbirth rates in Europe. This number is simply too high. Sands supports anyone affected by the death of a baby and promotes research to reduce the loss of babies' lives. They also work in partnership with health care professionals to improve the quality of care and services offered to bereaved families.
I'm so proud to say that we raised over £10,000 in the end (including offline donations and gift aid), thanks to the kind donations from our wonderful friends and family, and even the odd celebrity!
The Sands Challenge Events
London to Brighton, 13th Apr 2013
Somerset Gran Fondo, 5th May 2013
Dunwich Dynamo, 20th Jul 2013
The HildenboRun, 16th Nov 2013