Group wants individuals to take on challenge to help its cause
A baby loss charity has launched a virtual challenge to raise essential funds during lockdown.
Held In Our Hearts has launched a virtual # MayTheKBeWithYou campaign after seeing a huge increase in the number of families reaching out for their baby loss counselling and support services.
The charity previously ran the #AKADay campaign which encouraged supporters to stay active throughout April and do 1K (or more) while this new challenge gives them a chance to build on their achievements and set a target of 5k, 10k, half marathon, in line with current government guidelines.
Nicola Welsh, its chief executive, said: “The month of May normally sees us have our biggest fundraising event of the year, with the Edinburgh Marathon Festival (EMF). We were keen to create a special, virtual challenge for all the amazing fundraisers that would be taking part, that filled that gap and gave the community something fun and motivating to engage in.”
Since the lockdown, the organisation has provided over 130 hours of support to families individually, in couples and in groups, face to face (online), 44 phone calls, 285 emails and texts, which is a huge increase on what we would normally provide.
Welsh added: “Our team is working harder than ever to meet that increased need and now more than ever, we need to be able to continue supporting bereaved families in the community.
“This challenge is a way for people to raise awareness and give a small, but much appreciated donation for our work.”
The awareness and funds that this is raising will go towards helping parents like Megan, who has been receiving support before and now during the lockdown: “We were told the devastating news that our baby wouldn’t survive after birth and in a split second everything we had been planning for was out the window,” she said.
“Louie Julian Martin was born on the 9th of February - a heart-breaking decision that we had to make. It’s been an extremely tough journey and to start with I couldn’t see any light at the end of this tunnel.
“Two weeks after having Louie I spoke to a befriender called Gemma at Held In Our Hearts. If it wasn’t for her I don’t think I would have been back at work five weeks after all this happened. I’ve also had fantastic support from my partner, friends and family but it’s so good speaking to someone who understands completely what you're going through and isn’t going to judge you for feeling the way you do as they have been there.
“I still have a long way to go but this charity is so, so important for support for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby. They are amazing."
Tracy Watt, fundraising manager, said: “We have seen lots of people take part in our #AKADay challenge and they have achieved over 1,000 kilometres collectively! People have been getting out and feeling motivated to do their 1k a day, so we were keen to build on this momentum in May.
“The #MayTheKBeWithYou is a challenge available to anyone, any age and any fitness and we are so grateful for everyone that has got involved so far and help provide much needed funds for us to continue supporting bereaved parents, like Megan, in the community.”
To take part, the charity is asking for a £5 donation or just text MAYTHEK to 70085 where they can donate £5 to help our work.
