We’re excited to share something a bit different from our usual updates. We are gearing up to take on a sponsored walk on Saturday 3rd August up Snowdon mountain, in support of the incredible work of SANDS, the charity dedicated to helping people affected by stillbirth and neonatal death.
There’ll be around ten of us all together, and training has started! Here’s some more information, including how you can sponsor us.
Who’s great idea was it?
Our Bookkeeper – Rebecca.
Who’s doing it – and what inspired your team to take on the challenge together?
We’ve got 5 of our team, and we’ve drafted in 5 more individuals who are clients and good friends of APH!
Tell us about SANDS, what do they do?
SANDS is a charity that supports those affected by pregnancy loss or death of a baby. They also carry out vital work to improve maternity safety, ultimately, to bring that number of pregnancy loss and baby deaths down.
What’s your connection with SANDS, why are they your chosen charity?
Rebecca has had a personal experience with SANDS, and we want to support them in the amazing work that they do to support those going through a truly devastating experience –
‘In September 2023, I went into labour at 18 weeks – my little Romily was born sleeping.
In hospital, I was given a Memory Box, that SANDS had provided. Inside was a Certificate of Birth, a printing kit for hand & foot prints, two little bears, a blanket and information sheets for additional support. Romily was born too early to have her birth officially registered, so her Certificate of Birth is now framed and on display in my living room – it acts as proof that she was here, despite never knowing. The Midwives were able to use the printing kit to get hand and foot prints from Romily, which will forever be cherished. I slept on the blanket, so when Romily was buried, she had the blanket that had the scent of her Mum and Dad, and she had one of the two bears with her, I kept hold of the other one, so we’ll always have one each.
We weren’t prepared to go through what we went through, as nobody is, so to have this box to enable us to make memories and keep them safe, was invaluable. To this day, it still brings a great deal of comfort.
SANDS support in the form or helplines, emails, groups and online. Their support has been invaluable, they make you feel ‘heard’ and that you’re not on your own – at a time when you feel like you’re the only person in the world feeling and experiencing what you are.’
How are you preparing?
We’re back hitting the gym, plenty of walks, and some of us are even back to running (although, not all!).
What are you motivational training song(s)?
Running Up That Hill & Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!!
How can supporters sponsor you?
You can sponsor us from our JustGiving page here.