Macclesfield London Marathon runner raises thousands for stillborn charity
By Alex Greensmith
12th Apr 2023 | Local News
A Macclesfield woman is to run her first London Marathon, raising upwards of three grand for charity.
Langley resident Karina Bolam, who works as a teaching assistant at a Macclesfield primary school, will take on the 26.2-mile run on Sunday April 23.
About 30 other people are running for the stillborn bereavement support charity Sands, but not all have already smashed their fundraising goal like Karina.
Karina will be running the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 23 April 2023, in memory of her daughter, Ida Rose Bolam (d. 2014).
"Sands is an incredible charity close to my heart that offered me support through some of my darkest hours," said Karina.
"What is amazing about them is that as a charity they find you in your time of need.
"Sands gave me a window into the outside world – it allowed me to speak to people who had been through the same as us, to see people who were further along the rollercoaster and they gave me hope.
"Their work with bereaved parents is invaluable. Without them we wouldn't have the box with her photos, her hand, her hair, and footprints – their guidance gave friends and family the tools to find the right words to say to us to support us while we worked through the grief."
Karina wanted to raise £2250 for the UK's leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity by running the marathon.
However, she has already exceeded her fundraising target with £2832 raised, eleven days before the London Marathon will take place.
""It is the first marathon I have ever done," added Karina, who has lived in Macclesfield for three years.
"I have tried to apply in the London Marathon ballot before, but this was the first time I have ran for a charity and I was lucky to be selected.
"Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. My family and friends have been amazing. They remember the impact it had on me at the time.
"I've had people I know come forward say to me that it happened to them 30 years ago. It is an important message to get out there, to know that support is there.
"Through this, I am giving back to people who have really helped me. Because you are in such a dark hole when that happens.
"I have also found it particularly rewarding to help people who have been through something similar to me [both inside and outside the Sands support group]. I am only lucky enough to be able to do this because I had the support of both SANDS and my family and friends in the first place."
Natalie Lovegrove, Community Engagement and Supporter Events Officer for Sands had this to say.
"Karina has already raised an incredible amount towards her challenge and we are so grateful for her support," said Natalie.
"Karina's hard work and fundraising efforts help Sands continue to support anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby, improve bereavement care, and save babies' lives.
"Without amazing people like Karina, our work simply wouldn't be possible! Team Sands has an official cheer point along the London Marathon race route, and we cannot wait to cheer Karina on when she runs past!
"Our countrywide network of over 90 local support groups is run by dedicated volunteers, many of whom are bereaved parents and family members, and offers a chance to meet other people affected by baby loss, be supported by trained Befrienders, and share their experience.
"Many parents feel that only those who have been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby can really understand their grief. The closest local Sands group to Macclesfield is Stockport Sands and Manchester Sands. They host regular support meetings, in person and online.
"It costs £580 per day to run our helpline, and with Karina having already raised five times that it is easy to see how much she has helped already.
"Karina, we can't thank you enough. Best of luck!"
It costs £1500 to support one local group for a year. So Karina has already raised enough money to fund two of them, helping hundreds of people who have gone through similar experiences like her.
The charity also gives out family support packs which cost £10. These are booklets on the next steps like funeral arrangements, milestones, and a memory box support pack. Karina has raised enough to pay for 300 of these, before even reaching the starting line.
You can donate to support the Macclesfield mum's crowdfunder on this link.
Karina is the second Macclesfield runner Macclesfield Nub News has profiled that will be running the London Marathon for charity.
See Also: Macclesfield Beer Festival to raise thousands in milestone year for local charity
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