Our Managing Director, Katrina Cliffe, is set to take on a series of physical challenge to raise money for Tommy’s the baby charity. Over the next three months, she will be challenging herself to the Manchester, Leeds and Lindley 10k’s along with a mini triathlon to raise money for Tommy’s.
Tommy’s the baby charity raises money to undertake research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature births helping to save babies’ lives along with providing support to families experiencing such a traumatic time. Tommy’s has supported a significant number of families and their research has reduced stillbirth by 22% in Greater Manchester.
Tommy’s is a charity close to Katrina’s heart. Katrina unknowingly had a condition that led to the loss of her first child, Casey, who was born too soon at 20 weeks in June 2004. With subsequent pregnancies, she was under specialist care which resulted in operations, bedrest and 100s of injections. Research undertaken by Tommy’s identified new treatments which can help to prevent premature birth and due to this her eldest daughter, Stevie was born healthily at 33 weeks, whereas her youngest daughter, Jaime went to full term following further successful research undertaken by the Tommy’s team.
Katrina commented: “Losing my son was an absolute shock as there were no warning signs that I might not be able to carry to term. Although I have since gone on to have two healthy daughters, losing Casey had a significant impact on my life and while it has been a driver to success, it has also affected my mental health. Over the years we have raised almost £10,000 for Tommy’s and I plan to continue this to ensure more babies are born safely and that their families are supported through such a traumatic time.
I signed up for these challenges last year and have only recently started training as I did not think I wouldn’t be able to see these challenges through, but I’m back on track, motivated and feeling much better in myself for it. My daughters are proof that the research undertaken is absolutely vital and I’m proud to once again be supporting Tommy’s”.
If you would like to sponsor Katrina on her physical journey, for a fantastic cause, you can do so by visiting the link: k.virginmoneygiving.com/KatrinaCliff