A huge congratulations and thank you to our incredible supporter, Ady Kelly, who has raised an amazing £4,120 for our Maternity Bereavement Appeal after completing a remarkable 192-mile Coast to Coast trek in just 12 days.

Ady took on the challenge in support of the appeal after seeing first-hand the impact of baby loss on friends Emma and Joe, who sadly lost their son, Otis, at just under 22 weeks' gestation. Following Otis' passing, Emma became heavily involved in fundraising for a new Maternity Bereavement Suite at Calderdale Royal Hospital, helping to create a more private and comforting environment for families experiencing the heartbreak of baby loss.

Wanting to give something back, Ady set himself the challenge of walking solo from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in Whitby, carrying his own kit and camping gear along the way.

Reflecting on his achievement, Ady said:

"It was an amazing journey with lots of highs and a few lows, both physically and mentally, with a wide range of weather conditions from heatwave to thunderstorm, but it was all worth it to reach the end and achieve the goal I set out. I'd like to say a special thanks to my friends and family who came to walk with me on a few of the days throughout and to everyone who came to support me at the finish line.”

The challenge was inspired not only by Ady's desire to support Emma and the appeal, but also by the lasting impact her dance school, EB Dance Company, had on his family. Both of Ady's daughters attended the school, where they developed confidence, friendships and a strong sense of community.

Thanks to Ady's incredible determination and the generosity of everyone who supported him, his original fundraising target of £1,000 was surpassed four times over, raising a fantastic £4,120 towards our goal of building a new Maternity Bereavement Suite at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Thank you, Ady, for going the extra mile, and then another 191 of them, in support of families affected by baby loss.