This weekend I started training for next week’s 42 mile Lyke Wake Walk to raise money and awareness for SANDS, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity. This walk and the big walk starting next Friday at 9pm from Osmotherley to Ravenscar has been organized by Annika (pictured) and James Dowson from Helmsley who lost their baby, Gypsy, ten years ago.
It’s all part of SANDS awareness month which aims to break the silence around still birth and neonatal deaths. When I first met the Dowsons they told me that they had lost many friends who are unable to cope with their sadness at losing Gypsy and, even now, many avoid talking to them.
The walk, which has to be completed within 24 hours, will take 16 of us across the highest and wildest parts of the North York Moors National Park and will be a brilliant way to remember babies Isaac, Elpsbeth Rose, Gypsy, Amy and Evie. Both my son, Charlie, who is also taking part, and I are looking forward to it.
I would encourage anyone wanting to sponsor Annika and James to do so by following this link: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sands-gypsydowson
Picture courtesy of Gazette and Herald