A dad is taking on the Manchester Marathon to thank staff at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Zachary Weaver-Shojaie will lace up his trainers on Sunday, April 19, as he raises money for the hospital's Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

These two two departments provided life-changing support to his family during a journey marked by both devastating loss and the eventual joyful arrival of his daughter.

Zachary said: "In March 2024 we suffered a silent miscarriage. We learned of it a matter of days before the 12-week scan that we had just allowed ourselves to become excited about.

"The loss was crushing, but at every step of this difficult journey, the EPAU staff were so loving, kind and supportive that they carried us when we struggled to carry ourselves.

"We were so glad to be able to return to EPAU to share the news of our second pregnancy. Our beautiful daughter was born in May 2025. This was following a traumatic birth following which mummy and baby each needed support, extending over several weeks.

"During this time, SCBU and other staff at Macclesfield helped to support our daughter so that mummy could try to focus on recovery and I could get some semblance of rest.

"As I sat, physically and emotionally exhausted, in the SCBU experiencing the support that was being provided to us, I committed to giving something back – and decided that I would seek to use the marathon as a challenge by which to fundraise for the units."

advertisement

Zachary began running again in late 2024 to support his mental health, with the aim of one day completing his first-ever marathon.

However, his training was severely interrupted by a car accident in September 2025.

Despite being unable to run for months, he has spent much of 2026 working with physiotherapists to ensure he can cross the finish line to honour the staff who supported his family.

"I remain steadfast that the pain I feel from running is physical", Zach added. "It cannot rival the mental anguish faced by so many who benefit from the support of EPAU and SCBU.

"If all this time, effort and aching results in one pregnancy journey being in any way less difficult, it will be worth it.

"I also focus on the hope of seeing mummy and baby as I turn into Timperley as part of the course. Every other runner and support disappear would disappear in the moment of seeing their smile."

To support Zack during this challenge, visit his JustGiving page here.