Mum takes on AJ Bell Great Bristol Run in memory of baby daughter

Abbey Silvester will run 10K to raise funds for Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal.

Abbey Silvester is taking on the 10k at the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run on Sunday 14 May 2023 to raise funds for Cots for Tots, the dedicated charity for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital, which is a part of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

When her baby daughter Isla was born on 7 April 2016, Abbey didn’t get to take her home. Instead, little Isla was, as Abbey describes, “born sleeping”.

“I was a mummy, but my baby girl was to live only in my heart,” says Abbey. “This is a feeling that no parent should ever have to face.”

In the days following Isla’s birth, Abbey and her husband Joe were given some precious time with their baby girl by having the use of a CuddleCot. Designed to allow grieving parents to spend extra time with their stillborn babies, the CuddleCot is a cooling cot that preserves a baby’s appearance, condition and dignity.

Abbey is running the 10k at the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run on 14 May to raise the funds needed to donate another CuddleCot to Cots for Tots.

“We were able to create such precious memories by having handprints made and pictures taken and now these are the moments that I treasure and hold so close. None of this would have been possible without the use of a CuddleCot,” she explains.

“To achieve my goal would be amazing and an honour to know my baby girl has made a difference during someone’s darkest and most upsetting time. To give them that chance to create memories to last a lifetime.”

The family has a particularly close connection to Cots for Tots, as Abbey’s son Alfie (3) and daughter Mollie (11 months) both spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.

“Cots for Tots is an incredible charity and without it who knows what my life would look like,” adds Abbey.

Her training for the race is going well so far and Abbey is doing this in memory of her daughter.

“The smallest of feet have certainly left the biggest of footprints in my heart. We’re doing this for you Isla. I’m so very proud you chose me to be your mummy and I just hope I make you proud.”

You can donate to Abbey’s fundraising efforts here.

To find out more or to enter the AJ Bell Great Bristol run visit here.

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