Hi all,
Last year was a tough year for us with the birth and loss of our dear Freddy. He was born with Trisomy 13, the result of which were some severe health issues. He gave us 7 and a half weeks with him as a family of four. Thanks to the support of friends and family, while every day is hard, we have made it through thus far.
It is difficult to put into words just how much it hurts to lose a child, we are determined to ensure that Freddy's life has meaning - and that he leaves a mark.
I found it mentally challenging waking up every day with some pretty dark thoughts, but was able to use the mornings to go for cycle rides to strengthen my mind and approach my duties as a father and husband the best I could. I found this to be a tonic for my mental health and have recently started running after being convinced by a good friend to sign up for the Milton Keynes Half Marathon.
I want to raise money for a cause very close to our family, which is the Acorns Children's Hospice Trust.
When we were at our lowest, they gave us support and practical advice that gave us the courage to take Freddy from the hospital to the normality of home, if only for a short while. They were there to look after Freddy in the times that we were just too exhausted to (he needed constant support on a daily basis), helping lighten the load.
As we got closer to the end of his life, they helped us create memories for Freddy in the form of hand prints, memory stones and other physical items that we have shared with family and friends. The hospice in Worcester was always welcoming to us - Freddy was able to enjoy the hydrotherapy pool with close family, his sister and cousins too. For his last day, we were at the hospice where they took care of everything so that we could focus on spending those moments with our son.
After his passing, they visited and consoled us and were there as we celebrated his life at the Vale Crematorium. Today, we are still in contact with them and they continue to offer services and support for us, should we find a need to call upon them.
The Acorns is a wonderful organisation, any donation is really appreciated to help them continue to do the great work they do in supporting families across the country.