By Laura Elvin
A woman who took up running to cope with miscarriage grief has run one every month this year – raising £9,000 ($11,452) to help people who have lost babies.
Bethan Pritchard, 31, had a missed miscarriage at 13 weeks in 2016, and struggled to come to terms with her grief, she said.
Depressed and lonely, she turned to reading and read J”og On: How Running Saved My Life” by Bella Mackie, who over came mental health problems through running.
The beauty salon owner set herself a challenge of completing a marathon every month for 12 months.
She’s seven marathons in – raising nearly £9,000 during the first six for Tommy’s the baby loss charity.
Money from the final six will go to Ryedale Special Families Charity – supporting families who have children and young adults.
A missed miscarriage, also known as a silent miscarriage, occurs when a fetus is no longer alive, but the body does not recognize the pregnancy loss.
Bethan, from Malton, North Yorkshire, England said: “Lockdown happened and I just threw myself into fitness.
“I did lots of online classes, started eating well and then I just randomly said to my mum, ‘I’m going to go out and run a marathon.’”
“My mum couldn’t believe it.
“I got up, put my trainers on and off I went.
“I didn’t have a plan, I just started to run.
“I finished my first marathon in just under five hours and realized that I could do more; I could run more marathons and I could raise money to help other people like me.”
Bethan has completed seven marathons and even ran with former Made in Chelsea star Josh Patterson during his 76 marathons in 76 days challenge.
Speaking about her fundraising challenge Bethan said: “I can’t believe I’m halfway through a challenge that I never thought I’d be able to do.
“It’s been a complete roller-coaster.
“Trying to fit all my training in between running two businesses and being maid of honor for my best friend has been pretty overwhelming at times, but seeing the donations coming in and knowing how much that money will help bereaved families and disabled children keeps me going.”
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving said: “Bethan is so inspiring.
“Not only has she’s turned her grief into something so positive to raise an incredible amount of money to help other bereaved parents and disabled children, she’s also managed to get lots of other people engaged and active along the way.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker