Emma Sykes, from Prestwick, raised £1,550 by completing the Great Scottish Run in memory of her baby girl, Lila. She took on the Half Marathon to raise funds for Crosshouse Children’s Fund and to thank the team for the care she received during a difficult time.
Devastating news at a routine scan
At a routine scan in February, Emma received the news that her baby no longer had a heartbeat. She gave birth to her little girl, Lila, two days later.
“The care we received from the maternity team made an unbearable situation feel as safe and as gentle as it possibly could,” said Emma. “The bereavement unit became a sanctuary for us during the worst days of our lives. The support didn’t stop when we left the hospital either and the kindness of the staff has stayed with us.”
Turning heartbreak into a positive challenge
Emma joined hundreds of other runners fundraising for important causes at the Great Scottish Run, turning her heartbreak into a positive story in Lila’s memory.
“The half marathon is a huge challenge, but that’s part of why I wanted to do it,” she said. “I wanted to be able to cross the finish line knowing I completed something difficult in Lila’s memory, and through fundraising, her life has helped make a difference to other families. It’s about turning something incredibly heartbreaking into something positive in Lila’s memory.”
Gratitude from Crosshouse Children’s Fund
“We are incredibly grateful to Emma for choosing to honour Lila’s memory in such a meaningful way,” said Kirsten Watson, CEO of Crosshouse Children’s Fund. “Completing the half marathon is a fantastic achievement, and the funds that Emma has raised in Lila’s name will help so many more children and families who are cared for in hospital in Ayrshire.”
Those inspired by Emma’s story can take on a challenge for Crosshouse Children’s Fund in 2027 by signing up for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.
