JOHN’S 10K CHALLENGE IN MEMORY OF GRANDSON CHARLIE

Meet John, one of our inspirational runners taking on the Bury BID 10K this weekend. John will be running in memory of his first grandchild Charlie John and for two charities very close to his heart, SANDS and 4Louis.

John’s first grandson, Charlie John, was stillborn on 17^th June 2023. Leaving a huge loss within the entire family, John knew that he wanted to do something to not only remember Charlie but to help other parents and families, in the hope that in the future there might be fewer cases of premature death, miscarriage or stillbirth.

“Our first grandchild, Charlie, was born sleeping in June 2023.  Charlie’s death affected the whole family, obviously, his parents were devastated, but as grandparents, we were left with empty hearts and a huge sense of loss.

“I wanted to do something to not only remember Charlie but to help other parents and families, in the hope that in the future there might be fewer cases of premature death, miscarriage or stillbirth.  I also saw the wonderful support and care of the hospital where Charlie was born and the charities that provide for families.

“I decided to try to raise money for two charities that do so much; SANDS for the research into preventing miscarriage and stillbirth and also 4Louis, a charity that provides memory boxes and support for parents at the time of their loss and afterwards. 

“Although it has been a few years since I last ran properly, I set out to run two 10ks, the first in Lincoln where I live and where our son, Charlie’s dad was born, and then the second in Bury, being the closest to where Charlie was born.  In between, I also completed the RideLondon 60-mile bike ride in May.  I aimed to raise money for the two charities, and so far I have generated about £600 split between the two, but I also to use my participation to make more people aware of the tragedy that is the loss of a baby. 

“In particular I hope to share the impact on wider family members.  He will always be in our hearts, Charlie was our first grandchild and we were so looking forward to being grandparents.  I hope that by taking part in the Bury 10k, along with the other events I have done to raise money for the two charities, other families will get the support and help they need at the most painful of times and that, with the research and work done by Sands, fewer parents will face the tragedy of the loss of a child.”

Good luck John, we can't wait to cheer you across the finish line on Sunday!