Kenilworth dad to run seven marathons in seven days for children's charity

By James Smith 5th Dec 2024

Jack Taylor is well underway on his fundraising challenge (image via Lily Mae Foundation)
Jack Taylor is well underway on his fundraising challenge (image via Lily Mae Foundation)

This December Jack Taylor, bereaved dad and trustee for the Lily Mae Foundation is undertaking an "extraordinary challenge" in memory of his son Oscar; running seven marathons in seven days.

Jack's fundraiser is taking place this week, with the final leg taking place on Saturday 7 December - Oscar's birthday.

The Kenilworth dad, 33, and his wife Ellen already had a daughter, Isabella, and had already experienced two miscarriages before - in 2016 - they found out their son was not well after a 12-week scan.

Then at 28 weeks "their world came crashing down" as further scans revealed serious complications with their baby's heart and brain.

A subsequent MRI confirmed Trisomy 13 (Patau's Syndrome), a rare chromosomal condition associated with severe disabilities and low survival rates.

Jack and Ellen chose to "spare their son further pain" and at 32 weeks Oscar William Taylor was born sleeping on December 7, 2016.

Since then Jack has looked for ways to honour Oscar's memory and give back to the Lily Mae Foundation after it played a "crucial role" in supporting the couple.

In 2013 he ran seven miles every day at the start of December but is this year raising the bar by completing a total of 183.4 miles in the space of a week.

The fundraiser has already received over 2,000 in donations.

Writing on the JustGiving page Jack said: "As most of you know, Oscar turned seven last year, and wanting to do something different for his birthday and to raise money for Lily Mae I decided to run seven miles every day for the whole of December.

"So that got me thinking, how can I top that this year…..and here's what I've decided!

"Seven marathons, seven days, the first week of December. With the last marathon being on Oscars birthday, 7 December! A total of 183.4 miles across seven days.

"I will be doing this to raise money for The Lily Mae Foundation, so they can continue to support and provide care for families affected by possibly the most difficult times of their lives!

"Providing memory boxes, one-two-one support, sibling support days, Rainbow baby groups, Pregnancy after loss support groups and much more.

"I've been through a lot of dark and tough times since losing Oscar, but running has always helped me mentally, so this challenge just seemed perfect to me!"

Donations can still be made online here.

     

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