Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to local parents Jess and Rahul. Last year Rahul ran 1992km including two marathons in Paris and Berlin for Sands and the Brain Research Trust. Rahul and Jess lost their son in 2013 and wanted to do something to raise awareness and funding for Sands research and practical support. They raised over £2000 for Sands and £1344.83 of this for West London Sands. This has helped us, amongst other things, to furnish the new Bereavement suite at Northwick Park hospital which officially opens on Wednesday 12 September 2018.

Read more from Rahul:

“When we lost our son in 2013, I would never have guessed how much he would have taught us in his short life and death. We felt the profound compassion of the staff who cared for my wife and son and saw their efforts to repurpose our room from one to welcome life to a gateway to limbo and healing. Sands and its members helped us grieve, and grow.”

“As time progressed, we wanted to give back to that community. My wife helped bring Northwick Park and Sands together and we supported training events. Three years on, I wanted to do something to raise awareness and funding for Sands’ research and practical support. So I decided to run a marathon. I ran for Sands and the Brain Research Trust. I enjoyed sharing the journey leading to the marathons with new and old friends. For some, it gave a first outlet to recognise or discuss what happened. The marathons ended up, in truth, being just certificates for the running I did over 20 months. And each of those hundreds of runs were powered by my love unspent, and the love I had received.”