Nick explains why he fundraised for Child Bereavement UK by running the London Marathon dressed as a star in memory of his son Noah who died aged 19 days old.  

Child Bereavement UK helped us to find a way forward and start to deal with the grief that was clouding our ability to live any sort of normal life.

Noah was born prematurely and, after numerous complications, died aged 19 days old. Shortly afterwards, we were referred to Child Bereavement UK. The charity helped us to find a way forward and start to deal with the grief that was clouding our ability to live any sort of normal life.

I will be running my fifth and final London Marathon in aid of Child Bereavement UK and this year I am also hoping to break the Guinness World Record for running the event dressed as a star. I originally intended to make my record-breaking attempt last year but due to covid restrictions the marathon was cancelled. Instead, I ran around my local area dressed as a star as part of the Virtual London Marathon. 

To prepare for my challenge, I contacted Guinness World Records for advice, including the required dimensions for his star costume, which has been specially made.

The current record for running a marathon dressed as a star is held by a Mexican man, who completed the event in 4 hours and 5 minutes. 

I'm no great athlete but the challenge allows me plenty of time to reflect, appreciate and leave a bit of a legacy that Noah couldn’t leave for himself. Running dressed as a star seems an appropriate way to remember him. I often look up at the night sky and wonder which star he is.

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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.