Meet Adrian. 35 years old and hailing from Bedfordshire, Adrian took on a new challenge last month for a very special reason. We caught up with him to find out more about the challenge, what drives him, and how he feels now it’s over.
On Saturday 7 September, I took on the Bedford Running Festival 10k. When I signed up, having never done a run like this before, I knew it would be difficult to not let the emotions and nerves get the better of me. But I also knew there would be someone at the forefront of my mind pushing me through every step and every stride: my son Emmanuel.
It was one of my friends who suggested we do the race in memory of Emmanuel. He said he felt helpless when Emmanuel died so wanted to do something for me and my wife and for Emmanuel too. So I said yes. Trainers on and running for Emmanuel, and so many other seriously ill babies, children and young people and their families.
First, let me tell you a little bit about 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 dress 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.
My wife and I couldn’t have got through what we went through on our own. We had 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.
And that’s why, together with my friends and family – Ben, Brian, David, Luke and Scott – we decided to raise money for these wonderful organisations. Because they were there for me and mine during the hardest time of our lives and I don’t ever want other families to feel alone going through what we went through.
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.
Pushing my limits
To help get in shape for the run, I used the Couch to 5k app and paced myself by spreading it over a few months. After completing that, I upped my training to try and get to the 10k mark. It wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed the training and pushing myself, knowing the achievement and end result would be worth it. The main thing for me was to take my time and to not put pressure on myself.
It also helps having supportive (and stubborn!) nearest and dearest who encouraged me throughout to keep me going and get off the sofa to train!
Carried through to the end
I’m glad to say – I did it! It was difficult at times and the 10K seemed longer compared to what I was training for!! But it was a great experience.
My family and friends came out to support on the day and it was a massive encouragement seeing them. The atmosphere was amazing, and the positivity in the air further lifted my spirits. When the distance got tough, the thought of Emmanuel carried me through, especially during the final Km and home stretch.
It was emotional as I crossed the finishing line, but I’m so glad that I did it. Not only did I complete the run in my desired timeframe, but me and my fellow running fundraisers beat the fundraising target too which will help amazing charities including Together for Short lives.
Plus, I’ve developed a like for running and training and will definitely keep on running in the future.
If you’re inspired by Adrian, there are so many ways you can get involved. Visit our events page to find the perfect challenge for you, or speak to our Supporter Care team.
