My Story

Shelton Striders Running Club are delighted to be supporting Derby Sands in 2024.

Over the course of the year we will be raising money through events such as our club 10k, Boxing Day Furnace Run, quiz night, and more.

Derby Sands is part of Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Sands operates throughout the UK, supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby, working to improve the care bereaved parents receive, and promoting research and working closely with many different organisations to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

The charity was nominated by club member Rob Higson whose son Thomas was stillborn at 29 weeks in 2019. Derby Sands supported Rob and his family through this time.

"Derby Sands were a lifeline for us when trying to navigate the awful and unexpected loss of our baby, Thomas. The Butterfly bereavement suite at Derby Hospital, funded by Sands, gave us a quiet place to spend precious time with Thomas. Sands also provided a memory box which meant we could collect treasured items to remind us of Thomas, which we continue to add to as each year passes. We also often visit the beautiful Derby Sands “Always Loved, Never Forgotten” Baby Memorial Garden at Markeaton Crematorium which bears the names of babies from Derby who were tragically lost during pregnancy, at birth, or in the weeks or months after. The garden has become a special place for our family to spend time remembering Thomas. Losing a child is a lifelong grief and the support continues to help us get through day-to-day life as bereaved parents."