On 28 and 29 May Team Sands, will be taking on the London 2 Brighton Challenge over one or two days. Sands has seven people taking on this gruelling event, all of whom have been affected by the death of a baby, where they will walk, jog or even run the 100km.  

Tina Clarke is running for Sands because the charity supported her sister and brother-in-law when they lost their baby James at 18 weeks. Tina has also done some back to back marathons in the run up to this, one of which where children from Fishergate Primary, where she is Head Teacher, joined her for a mile each. 

“When times get tough on the 28th - and they will - the fact that I am raising money for a charity that helps parents to keep going will keep me going!” says Tina.  

Kristie Peach and her husband Chris are taking part for their son Joshua who was still born at 41 weeks on 9 Oct 2012.

“We now have a toddler, Jessica. This makes it difficult to get training in but we’ve done as much as we can and are looking forward to the day,” says Kristie.

Alexandra Tuesley will be taking part with the support of her sister Maxine Wilson and brother-in-law Steve. This is in memory of Alexandra’s baby son Ben, one of her triplets, who was stillborn on 21 June 2002.

“Sands were a massive support, so now I need to give something back, “says Alexandra.

Mark Critchard is running for his niece Mia. This is one of three events he is taking part in, the first being the London Marathon, this will be his first ultra-marathon and then on 30 May he will set off on a 6 day bike ride fron Brighton to Lands’ End with his father,  totalling 500 miles for Mia.

“Training’s been tough - I’m just going to take it as it comes on the day, slowly, grit my teeth and get to the finish line,” says Mark.

Stillbirth and neonatal death are not rare events. In 2014, around 5600 babies died just before, during or soon after birth.  That’s over 100 babies every week.

It’s a tragedy that can happen to anyone and at any time. It’s devastating not just for parents, but also for friends and family.

To support any of the Team Sands members taking part please go to: 

Tina Clarke: http://www.justgiving.com/Tina-Clarke9

Kristie Peach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kristie-Peach

Chris Peach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/c-peach2

Alexandra Tuesley: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alex-Tuesley

Maxine Wilson: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Maxine-Wilson

Steve Wilson: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Stephen-Wilson21

Mark Critchard: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/500MilesforMia