Meet Adrian. 35 years old and hailing from Bedfordshire, Adrian is about to take on a new challenge for a very special reason. We caught up with him to find out more about what he’s doing, what drives him, and how he’s prepared himself to go the distance.
On Saturday 7 September, I’ll be taking on the Bedford Running Festival 10k. I know it will be difficult to not let the emotions and nerves overwhelm me, but there’ll be someone at the forefront of my mind pushing me through every step and every stride: my son Emmanuel.
On Friday 8 December last year, my wife and I welcomed our boy Emmanuel into the world and just two days later we had to say goodbye. Emmanuel had Trisomy 18 – also known as Edwards’ Syndrome – a rare and serious condition which affects roughly three in every 10,000 births.
We knew that Emmanuel had Edwards’ Syndrome before he was born, and the support we received from our local hospice and hospital both before and after he was born meant the world to us. We got to do things like change his nappy, feed him and dressing him. While these are all things new parents get to experience, for us they are precious memories which we’ll always treasure.
After Emmanuel passed, Together for Short Lives supported my wife and I through their Butterfly Fund. The financial assistance they offered helped towards the expenses we were facing at the time, especially giving Emmanuel a beautiful funeral.
Running for my son
One of my friends and fellow fundraisers suggested we do it in memory of my son Emmanuel, since he felt helpless when Emmanuel died, and he wanted to do something for him and for my wife and I.
So I’m running this race for Emmanuel, and so many other seriously ill babies, children and young people and their families. I don’t ever want them or their loved ones to feel alone going through what we went through.
Preparing to push my limits
Having never done a run like this before, it’ll be difficult to not let the emotions and nerves get the better of me, but I’ve been busy training over the last few months to go the distance. To help get in shape, I’ve used the Couch to 5k app and after completing it, I upped my training to try and get to the 10k mark. It’s not been easy, but I’ve enjoyed the training and pushing myself, knowing the achievement and end result will be worth it.
It also helps having supportive (and stubborn!) nearest and dearest who have encouraged me throughout to keep me going and get off the sofa to train!
The main thing is for me to take my time and don’t put pressure on myself, I know I’ll get through it…somehow!
Not going it alone
My wife and I couldn’t have got through on our own. We have the support of our loved ones, and some fantastic organisations including Keech Hospice Care, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Sands, Soft UK and Together for Short Lives. This challenge is no different, I won’t be running alone. Together with my friends and family running alongside me – Ben, Brian, David, Luke and Scott – I’m aiming to raise £2,000 for these organisations, who were there for me and mine during the hardest time of our lives.
During hard times such as having a seriously ill child or following a baby's death, your head can be all over the place, along with your emotions. Raising money to support the organisations there for you at this time is so important because the support can take the pressure off. It will make a genuine and immediate impact and difference, reminding you that you’re not alone.
To support Adrian, you can visit his JustGiving page and donate today.
