A Holmfirth dad is planning a 192-mile coast-to-coast walk – eating only army rations and camping out every night – to raise funds for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield.
But there’s a special reason behind why he’s doing it.
Ashlee Jones and wife Emma lost baby daughter Phoebe at just 26 weeks old and the couple want to raise awareness and show that bereaved families are not alone and that help is available.
Ashlee is walking from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire and wants to raise awareness. He has chosen to announce his fundraising effort during Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from October 9-15.
Ashlee said: “It was my best mate Joe who suggested the coast-to-coast walk. He said ‘if you’re going to do something, do something significant.’
“We’ll be doing it in one go, carrying everything we need on our backs, on army rations and camping at night.
“When Phoebe passed away, walking was the only thing that freed my mind, it made me feel closer to her. I knew I was already fit through my work, I knew I could take on a challenge like this and I knew it would get some attention and get the following it needed.
“I’m doing it for Forget Me Not because they’ve helped me and my family. When I went to Russell House the first time, it was totally different from what you’d expect.
“It was not like somewhere you’d link with seriously ill children or bereaved parents. The support worker I met gave me loads of time. I was probably there for two hours, having a good old chat.
“Since then my wife Emma’s been here too, and my other daughter Ava and my mum. It’s just nice to know that you’re not alone, and that there’s support there for your family, now and in the future.
“I was also able to meet other dads there who have lost a baby. That was my main goal – to link up with people who totally understand what you’re going through.
“I know it can be hard for dads to ask for help, to talk about it. But asking for help is not a failure. It took a long time for me to work that out.
“Words can be buried and forgotten and not spoken in times like this but if you don’t talk about it, it has a significant effect on your future.
“Untreated trauma is proven to have an effect on your physical health as well as your mental health. It’s so important to talk about it and not bury it. That’s another reason why it’s important to try and find every bit of support you can.
“All this walk is really about is helping people know that they’re not alone if they’ve lost a child.”
If you’d like to support Ashlee go to his JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/ashlee-jones-1693485265755
