Why it matters: George Foster, from Ipswich, will run 26.2 miles on 26 April in memory of his daughter Olive, who was stillborn in 2022, raising money for the Baby Bereavement Group at Ipswich Hospital – a service run by midwives, maternity care assistants and volunteers that relies entirely on community support.
The details: George's fundraising page on JustGiving has already raised £1,880 of his £2,500 target, with 79 supporters donating ahead of race day. The Baby Bereavement Group is a campaign run by Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, which raises money to improve facilities, fund equipment and provide additional services at East Suffolk & North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
What they're saying: "The care and compassion we received meant everything to us," said George. "Running the marathon is my way of saying thank you, and of remembering Olive."
On his JustGiving page, George wrote: "Following Olive's birth, we were supported by the Ipswich Baby Bereavement Group, who provided specialist bereavement support which is ongoing today. The IBBG supported and provided us with the resources so our family could have precious time with Olive to create memories with her. This was only possible using specialist equipment such as the Cuddle Cot and having the privacy needed in a carefully thought-out room where she was born, and we could spend time together."
The bigger picture: The Baby Bereavement Group supports families who have experienced all forms of pregnancy and baby loss, including early pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth and neonatal loss. The group meets online on the last Tuesday of every month between 20:00 and 21:00. Through donations and fundraising, they have been able to fund memory boxes, specialist cuddle cots and a quiet room so families can remain together for longer after birth.
What's next: George's support from the group did not end with Olive. When Olive's brother Albert was born, the group continued to support the family through what George describes as a time of "intense anxiety and uncertainty."
"We would love to be able to support other families who find themselves in the same heartbreaking situation and ensure they receive the same level of care and support as us," he wrote.
The bottom line: George's marathon is a deeply personal tribute to Olive and a reminder of the quiet, vital work carried out by the Baby Bereavement Group – a service that makes an unimaginable time a little more bearable for families across Ipswich and beyond.
