Hi everyone, CBW Business Manager Gemma here. In 2022, soon after we lost our daughter Penelope during/just after her birth, my husband Jake and I signed up to run the London marathon to raise money for the Tommy’s charity in her name.
Tommy’s is the UK’s leading charity funding research into pregnancy and reproductive health. They’ve been funding life-changing research into the causes of pregnancy complications for over 30 years and are committed to finding out why miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth happens.
In January 2023, I fell pregnant again and we now have a wonderful son, Ted. We had to put back our marathon plans a year while I recovered (which is why our donations page is dated 2023).
Six weeks after having Ted, I was out trying to run and I soon realised just how hard it was going to be. I needed to get myself back to a high level of fitness to run 26 miles and had underestimated what that would mean.
I am now following a strict marathon training plan, and have had to get myself out in rain or shine while being a full time mum. I know I cannot miss a session otherwise I risk not being able to finish, so in the evenings, in the ice, torrential downpours, I am out training.
Knowing that we are doing this for our baby girl is what’s getting me through. I can’t do much for her, but I can raise money in her name for such a worthwhile cause.
It’ll be seven months since I gave birth when I run the marathon. The two pregnancies were physically as well as mentally difficult for me, and because it was also a high risk pregnancy with Ted, I was on bed rest for the nine months and in hospital for three.
Tommy’s is a charity that is incredibly close to our hearts. When we were discharged after losing Penelope we were advised that the only support we were entitled to was via charities, Tommy’s being one. Tommy’s midwife helpline was my saving grace in the early days after losing my daughter, and their research is truly making a difference.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If any of you out there would like to sponsor me it would be deeply appreciated. You can find my page at 2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/gemma-pell or by using the QR code below.
Gemma xx
