Horsham couple are going the extra mile for Sands fundraiser

They will be participating in five events between now and September, three in the UK and two in Holland and hope to raise £1,000.

They have already completed 100 miles of their challenge at the Royal Air Force Two Day Marches in Shropshire and the two day Waendel Walk in Wellingborough. Training however, started back in October last year as soon as Tracy had recovered from a broken ankle she sustained in July!

Former Millais School Enrichment Co-ordinator Andy said: “My wife Tracy is the lead Midwife for Sands at East Surrey Hospital and she does a great deal of work to support them and the families who tragically find themselves in need of the wonderful work this charity undertake.

“Through Tracy’s involvement, I am privileged to know two families who sadly lost their babies and it is these incredible people who now support other families who are similarly bereaved”.

Ruth Summerfield the Co-Chair, Group Host and Befriender of Horsham and District Sands added: “We are a totally self-funded group working under the national charity of Sands UK. We are all volunteers and rely solely on fundraisers, like Tracy and Andy in order to run our groups enabling us to support parents, families and friends who have been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth”.

Andy concluded: “We want to sincerely thank everyone who has so generously sponsored us so far. Tracy and I have been humbled by so many touching messages”. If you would like to support Tracy and Andy in reaching their fundraising target for Horsham and District Sands please visit: www.justgiving.com/walking-for-sands

Report and picture contributed by Andy Skinner.