A charity director from Bushey will take on the Manchester Half Marathon less than a year after she lost her new-born son.
Caroline Stevens, director of Watford’s Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT), has taken up the challenge of running the half marathon on Sunday, May 24 to raise funds for both the charity she works for and the Miscarriage Association.
Caroline, who has a daughter called Holly, said: “I was expecting to be currently on maternity leave with a new-born baby but sadly that was not to be. I lost my son at 20 weeks on the July 29, 2019 due to unknown reasons.”
Struggling with her mental health since the loss, Caroline found exercising, especially, running, to be a good way to try to combat the darker days.
To give herself something to aim for, she decided to take part in the half marathon alongside a friend.
“I wanted to support the Miscarriage Association because the support, resources and research they do has been of such benefit and relief to me and my family over the past six months,” she added.
“I will also be supporting HIT, having worked there for over 11 years and in that time have met some of the most wonderful people participants, staff and volunteers. The charity supports some of the most vulnerable families, adults, and disabled people in Hertfordshire. My aim is to raise at least £1,000 per charity.”
Caroline has showed her mettle in the past. She previously ran two full marathons, in London 2012 and Edinburgh 2011, despite having ruptured a disk in her back.
She said: “I ruptured the disk in 2007 whilst brushing my teeth. I had to give up exercise and driving for 10 months, and ended up losing my job. When trying to get back on my feet I started volunteering for HIT in 2008; the position of artistic director became available in 2009, and in 2018 I became the CEO of the charity. So I do all I can to give back to a charity which has given so much to me.”
If you would like to support Caroline, donations can be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CarolineStevens
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