Update 28 October

Thanks so much for your support, donations, and words of encouragement. I am truly humbled by the amount that you donated and am sure it will be put to good use.
 
I managed to cross the finish line in an hour 10 minutes. It was my personal best, although that wasn’t a high bar given it was my very first attempt at running 10 kilometres, and any race for that matter!

You all made it possible, thanks again!

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I began 2024 with a goal of improving my health. By August, I had lost 3 stones and was walking regularly.

In early August, as Forrest Gump did, "for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run". Unlike Forrest, I couldn't even run for a whole minute! That led me to start the Couch-to-5k programme, and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the runs!

Before I could even run a full 5k, I wanted a bigger challenge. I checked race calendars and found the perfect one.

October 26th is a special day for me. That's the day we last heard our son, Sam's, little heart beat. He was born sleeping the next morning and only two short weeks before he was due.

When I came across the Beachy Head 10k race on October 26th, I just knew I have to take part. I didn't care that I hadn't run for 25+ years, or that my aggressive training plan sees me running a full 10k for the first time on the race day itself! I knew I had to do it!

In my run, I will be thinking of Sam and the precious few moments I held him in my arms.

I will be thinking of the great people at Sands charity who supported us cope with the devastating loss of our baby.

I will be thinking of Helen from Dinkie Dannies who lovingly created casts of Sam and kept them safe, and of Heather from RSCH Spiritual Care who arranged the service and funeral.

Last but not least, I will be thinking of the lovely maternity nurses at RSCH. They sat with us, trying to give some comfort. They held our hands and cried with us. They arranged for photographs and casts of Sam's little hands and feet, tokens that we will keep and cherish forever.

I'm raising funds for RSCH Maternity Ward as a thank you to these great people, in the hope that it helps them continue doing the great work they do.

Thank you for your support and generosity. Sahand Ghanoun