"Fat to Fittie"

Bit of a change from my usual blog, I’m writing this a few hours before taking on my challenge to walk up the 199 steps at Whitby, doesn’t sound like too hard a task, but as I have severe osteoarthritis in both hips, trust me when I say, it’s not going to be a simple, pain free event. The charity I’m raising money for is called Sands and they help bereaved families when they lose a child, providing essential support to everyone, particularly helping other siblings overcome, understand and deal with the loss.

Sadly this is something that my son and his partner experienced nearly two years ago, when they lost their little girl, who was stillborn at only sixteen weeks. I can’t begin to describe what it was like to see this tiny little human, it’s hard to comprehend why such things happen and you often find yourself thinking, what would she be doing now? The hospital were a great help, arranging the funeral, but the main support came from Sands, who according to my daughter in law, wouldn’t have got through without them.

My granddaughter was named Margot by her parents and while I was visiting her the other week, I met a lady who was there for her son, he’d been born on time and survived for a few weeks before being taken, she had also found Sands a great help and comfort at a time when they really needed it. Since being involved in my fundraising, I’ve discovered that there are many families, with completely different situations, who have suffered child loss and have all been supported in a way that’s helped them get through a terrible tragedy. Today as I walk up the steps I’ll think of Margot and be very proud that I’m her granddad. X

If you can donate, please click the link below for my Just giving page, thank you.