Callum Price, from Newcastle, will line up at the start of the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday October 11, running 13.1 miles in memory of his son, Leo. He will be joined by his three best friends, Matty, Olly and Ethan.
Almost a year ago, Callum and his wife Natalie learned at 33 weeks pregnant that their baby boy, Leo Thomas, had severe brain anomalies. In the weeks after losing their son, Callum said they were “simply frozen” and didn't want to leave their house.
Running as a distraction
As time passed, Callum began running as a way of coping with his grief and looking after his mental health. He said: “I needed a release and a distraction, and a way to remember what it was like to be a fully functioning person again. Running forced me to get out, burn off some energy and clear my head.”
The moment Callum mentioned taking on the challenge, his three best friends and groomsmen immediately decided they would run alongside him. Callum said: “I hadn't even asked them to [run]. I tried to tell them they didn't have to, but they wouldn't hear it. They wanted to be there with me the whole way.”
Raising funds for Sands
The four friends will run in memory of Leo and to raise money for Sands, a pregnancy and baby loss charity that has supported Callum and Natalie. Callum has already raised more than £6,000, almost five times his original fundraising target.
He said: “We have been genuinely shocked by the outpouring of support and love for Leo and for the cause. Perhaps the best part has been people knowing Leo's name. Not just those closest to us, but wider friends and colleagues too. It is lovely that this has helped make him even a small part of other people's lives.”
Leo's impact and support
Callum says the work Sands does is deeply personal to him and Natalie, particularly its support for bereaved parents, training for healthcare professionals and research. He has also found support through Sands United FC, which brings bereaved fathers together through football.
He said: “During the process we went through with Leo, we got to the very edge of medical understanding. We are still left with unanswered questions, so helping to fund research is a big motivator for me.”
When he reaches the finish line with his friends, Callum hopes it will be a chance to celebrate the little boy behind every mile. He added: “I hope it will be a brilliant moment, a chance for us to celebrate Leo and the strength he has given my wife and me, and to thank every person who has shown us their love and supported the cause.”
