A WOMAN walked her pony 100 miles in under a month in aid of a charity she set up after the heartbreaking loss of five babies.
Philippa Davies, from Mold, walked her Welsh mountain pony, Cookie, 100 miles across north east Wales over 20 days in December for her Our Sam charity.
Set up by Philippa in 2020, the charity is the legacy of Sam, a baby girl who was stillborn in 2012 at 33 weeks, following a diagnosis of Edwards’ Syndrome at Philippa's twenty-week scan.
Sam is one of five babies Philippa, aged 50, lost at different stages of pregnancy, between 2011 and 2018. Philippa’s dream in life had been to have her own family, but tragically, it was never to be.
Philippa had battled infertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome to become pregnant each time, and Sam was an IVF baby.
She said: "Baby loss is an incredibly difficult subject to raise awareness and funding for, because it is a subject nobody wants to think about or talk about.
"But, sadly, with 1 in 4 pregnancies ending in loss between conception and 28 days following birth, it is tragically common, and affects many people and families, and not talking about it leaves those affected feeling isolated and struggling.
"Sadly for me it was five out of five pregnancies ending in loss and a heartbreaking, lonely journey that could’ve been made easier with greater understanding and access to specialist support when I needed it most."
So much loss left Philippa struggling for the first time in her life with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and ultimately post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
Following Sam’s diagnosis of Edwards’ Syndrome, it took three years, the loss of another baby, and a diagnosis of PTSD before she was finally be signposted to the right support, which took the form of one-one counselling through Hope House Children’s Hospice.
Philippa added: "Many many bereaved parents’ journeys sadly reflect mine, and that is why I set up Our Sam."
She wants to ensure that all bereaved parents will be able to easily access the support they need, when they need it, and that they will have someone who understands to walk by their side, until they are able to walk by themselves again.
The charity has developed SOS Baby Loss - the first online signposting system for bereaved parents in the UK.
It is in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and enables healthcare and guidance professionals in all areas, from welfare support to HR professionals, to be able to accurately signpost or provide a link for self-signposting for bereaved parents and families who need support, to find and access specialist support when they need it most.
Philippa chose to include Cookie in the fundraiser as she should have been Sam's companion growing up. Philippa also wrote a children's book in memory of Sam, titled 'A Cookie for Christmas'.
She has raised nearly £2,000 for the charity through 'Cookie's 100' - every penny of which will help the roll-out of SOS Baby Loss across Wales in early 2022, followed by the rest of the UK.
Philippa said: "Thank you very much for all your incredible support, myself, Cookie, and everyone at Our Sam would like to wish you all a happy and safe New Year and very best wishes for 2022."
To donate to the fundraiser, visit https://bit.ly/3eM2mPZ
In the coming weeks Our Sam will also be advertising volunteering roles and opportunities on its website oursam.org.uk
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