A Warminster woman will take on a gruelling mountain challenge next month to raise as much money as possible for the baby loss charity, Sands.
Lily Cambridge-King will climb the three highest peaks in the UK – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) – within 24 hours.
The challenge will raise funds for Sands, which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby.
It is a cause close to Lily’s heart.
She said, “I’m currently going through the IVF process with my wife and, after three failed transfers – including two early miscarriages – we are taking a break.
“In this break, I wanted to find purpose, so I decided to take on the Three Peaks in 24 hours challenge.
“My mum lost a baby, who was stillborn at full term, and the charity Sands speaks volumes to me. I still think of the baby my mum lost as a brother.”
Training with dogs
Lily, who works in the emergency services, has been training across Wiltshire with her wife Ceri and their three dogs – Socks, Nelly and Jasper.
She will take on the challenge in August with her close friend Charlie, who she describes as “not afraid of a challenge”. They will climb 1,085m on Snowdon, 978m on Scafell Pike and 1,345m on Ben Nevis.
Lily and Charlie plan to snatch a few hours of sleep while travelling between each mountain, with their bags packed full of energy bars, nuts and spare socks.
Helping people in crisis
So far, Lily has raised £1,068 and hopes to reach her target of £1,800. The funds could help support Sands’ bereavement helpline, training for NHS staff, and the charity’s campaigning work to reduce the number of baby deaths.
Lily added, “Sands is a really important yet underfunded charity. It helps people in crisis when they need support more than ever.
“A lot of people I talk to don’t know much about Sands, so it’s been good to raise awareness. The more you talk about baby loss, the more you realise how many people have been impacted in some way.
“To anyone who donates to my fundraiser, I just want to say a huge thank you for your support and belief.”
Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. Evidence suggests that at least one in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage.
Sands’ Head of Bereavement Support Services, Rowena Pailing, said, “We are so grateful to Lily for her amazing efforts in support of Sands.
“Her fundraising will help us in our work to ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss gets the support they need, and to push for better medical care and understanding so that other families don’t have to go through what Lily and Ceri have experienced. We wish her the very best for the Three Peaks Challenge.”
To donate to Lily and Charlie’s fundraiser, visit: https://buff.ly/eOSqs8B
Sands’ confidential helpline – 0808 164 3332 – provides a safe space for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss. Support is also available by email at helpline@sands.org.uk
Pictures: Lily on a training walk
