Ian and his wife Jo were supported by Child Bereavement UK in Buckinghamshire after their eight-year-old daughter Lizzy died, following a short illness. Ian is taking part in a 50 km walk in the Peak District to raise funds for Child Bereavement UK. Here he talks about his reasons for fundraising and how he is preparing for the challenge.

Following the loss of my beautiful Lizzy, I was at a very low point. I didn’t want help from anyone and just wanted to be on my own. My wife Jo had been seeing Child Bereavement UK for a while and encouraged me to go with her, but I was very much against this.

Seeing a bereavement support practitioner at Child Bereavement UK gave me the strength to be able to live my life so I can keep Lizzy’s legacy going.

However, I hit a point where I thought I had nothing to lose. Seeing a bereavement support practitioner at Child Bereavement UK gave me the strength to be able to live my life so I can keep Lizzy’s legacy going.

I decided to do the trek to give something back to a fantastic charity that has really helped my family through the most difficult time of our lives.

I decided to do the trek to give something back to a fantastic charity that has really helped my family through the most difficult time of our lives. I hope it will help the charity to continue the valuable work it does and help others. It’s the first time I have felt mentally able to do something like this, and I’ll be doing the trek in memory of my wonderful Lizzy.

I chose to do the trek because I love hiking, which is something my wife introduced me to when we first met; the event is being held in the Peak District, where we would walk with her father. I have been a regular visitor to the Lake District where I have done many walks, with the longest one being 20 miles (32km) from Great Langdale up to Scafell Pike. Otherwise I try and get out as much as possible, but I have attempted nothing of this size!

Global Adventures, who organise the event on behalf of the charity, provided a pack which helped me draw up a training schedule. This has culminated in walking twice a week plus doing strengthening exercises at least three times a week as well. The walks have become progressively longer each week so that my body is in the best shape to enable me to complete the challenge. During this time, I have also been checking out equipment plus food and drink to make sure I have everything right for the day of the trek.

One of my concerns was the initial fundraising amount I needed to raise… however, the pack Child Bereavement UK sent me gave sensible ideas and ways forward, which helped me reach the initial amount required fairly easily.

One of my concerns was the initial fundraising amount I needed to raise as friends and family had already donated huge amounts to other charities following Lizzy's passing. However, the pack the fundraising team at Child Bereavement UK sent me gave sensible ideas and ways forward, which helped me reach the initial amount required fairly easily. They have also been available to answer any queries I have had.

I would say if you are going to undertake a challenge you need to be very dedicated, be mentally strong and train, train and train!

I would say if you are going to undertake a challenge you need to be very dedicated, be mentally strong and train, train and train!

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If you have been inspired to take on a challenge for us, please visit our challenge events page, contact our fundraising team on [email protected] or call us on 01494 569048.