Why We Run For Tommy's

Half of us have experienced baby loss or know someone who has. And together, as Team Tommy’s, we’re here to change that by raising funds for the groundbreaking research needed to save babies’ lives.

Read the stories and experiences of our LLHM runners below.

Please note these reasons for running will touch upon a range of issues relating to pregnancy and baby loss.

Share why you’re running for Tommy’s in the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Add a short quote about your reasons for taking part.

Share your story in more detail. Tell us about your personal journey and why the Tommy's cause matters to you.

Reasons For Running Quotes

Group of five people sitting together in a booth, smiling and looking towards the camera.

Nia

"My family is my everything. They're my best friends and who I look up to most. Everyone deserves that kind of love and bond. With your help, Tommy's can give others the chance to experience the joy of starting their own family. No one should miss out."

Sandy beach with small waves under cloudy sky, with a name written in the sand.

Jess

"I am running in memory of my daughter, Maeve, who died during an induced labour in 2013. This coming April would’ve been her 13th birthday and so running 13.1 miles seemed like a fitting way to honour that milestone."

Adult wearing sunglasses hugging a child on a beach with blue sky and sand in the background.

Jeorg

"During the 2nd pregnancy with our daughter Romy my wife suffered pregnancy complications. Fears you wouldn't wish on anyone. I think helping other people in this situation with this Charity run is a fantastic idea. I run for my 3 gems."

Close-up portrait of a person with sunglasses on their head, wearing an orange top against a plain background.

Lauren

"3rd April 1990, my older Brother Jamie was born 3 months early with only 2 heart chambers. He sadly didn't make it and it is something that has sat with me for as long as I can remember."

Two people chatting in a cosy room with drinks and glasses on a table in the foreground.

Sadie

"In July 2023 I suffered an early miscarriage and found myself in a position of feeling incredibly lonely and as if I was a failure. Tommy's offered a lot of useful and helpful information which helped me feel less alone."

Person outdoors holding up a medal at a running event with tents and crowds in the background.

Emma

"I'm running for friends who have lost their babies and not had the support they needed until Tommy's came along."

Close-up selfie of a person wearing glasses and earphones, standing outdoors with greenery behind.

Hannah

"I'm supporting and running in memory of my niece, Lily, who we lost at 13 weeks. While my family didn't use Tommy's directly, I'm supporting their vital research to help prevent baby loss for other families. These miles are for her."

Close-up selfie of a person in a pink running vest wearing earphones.

Kate

"I am running for team Tommy's as I suffered a vanishing twin pregnancy, luckily my beautiful daughter was born healthy but seeing a scan at 10 weeks with them both on was heartbreaking."

Person standing outdoors wearing a pink ruffled top and jeans, holding a handbag.

Shantal

"2015, 2 miscarriages, 2017 I fall pregnant, had lots of pain! I knew I was having an ectopic pregnancy, no one believed me! I ended up losing my tube and my baby. 2018, I had a rainbow baby, 5 days later emergency surgery part of the placenta was left me in!"

Two people standing on a path with a pram, taking a selfie outdoors.

Abbigayle

"I am running LLHM with Tommy's to remember our two pregnancies we lost and celebrate our rainbow baby we gained down to Tommy's medical research trial"

Runner wearing a “Tommy’s” vest and race number running past spectators.

Kevin

"Running is my main hobby and it makes me happy to be able to raise money to support such a great cause by doing something I enjoy."

Julia

"Even the tiniest footprints leave an imprint on our hearts forever. I run for those, who are affected to show my support."

Abbie

"My nephew was born at 24 weeks and without the support, research and medical intervention he would not be here 10 years on. I want to raise money for Tommy's to help support/fund research to help other families like ours."

Claire

"I run for every mum, baby, mum to be, and baby lost too soon. My best friend had a miscarriage and seeing her go through that was heartbreaking."

Lucy

"As a midwife, and a mother who's miscarried I know just how important the charity is. I use their resources daily in work and have used them myself."

Word “Teddy” written in sand on a beach.

Jen

"I'm running in memory of our little boy Teddy and his sibling we lost before him. I think about him every day and running this race for him helps me feel closer to him."

Memorial text reading “For the five who never got to stay” with names listed and “Forever loved” below.

Elanor

"I run for my five grandchildren, Riley, Taylor, Blake, Sky and Charlie, who never got to stay. Their memory drives me to raise awareness so no family has to face this heartbreak alone."

Pink graphic of a running silhouette with text “Half Marathon Full of Hope” and small footprints and hearts.

Taz

"I'm running for Tommy's because I had an ectopic pregnancy. I didn't know I was pregnant and had no support after. By running, I want to honour my experience and help raise awareness so others feel supported and less alone."

Two adults holding a newborn wrapped in a white blanket, looking down indoors.

Becky

"I'm running in memory of our daughter Hope Rosie Cunningham-Smith who was born sleeping in December 2019. We miss her everyday. And for all my friends beautiful babies, who I've met from baby loss support groups."

Samantha

"In memory of my 8 week old nephew Axel, and all other families experiencing this heartbreaking journey of grieving a baby!"

Ann

"I am running for Tommy's as it is such an amazing charity. My mother had a traumatic experience having a C Section and giving birth to a stillborn baby. It was something she would speak about to me often as it affected her so much."

Marley

"I am running for Tommy's for all the Premmie's out there who were born with determination to live, to succeed, and push boundaries some thought unbreakable."

Illustration of two figures holding a baby beneath a protective wing shape on a blue background.

Caroline

"I am supporting Tommy's in memory of my much loved baby. I had a missed miscarriage 2 years ago and I wanted to raise awareness by running team Tommy's to help drive change and show my support to others that they are not alone."

Two people smiling closely together in an indoor selfie.

Heather

"In memory of our angel babies before my triple rainbow baby Poppy!."

Close-up of a hand pointing at an ultrasound scan image.

Vanessa

"I'm running in memory of a baby I lost in 2021."

Person in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet indoors.

Melissa

"I’m running for Tommy's in memory of my angel who I lost at 9 weeks pregnant back in January 2023. I’m running for everyone who has been affected by baby loss, their families and all our little angels who ran on ahead."

Em

"After my miscarriage at 8 weeks, I'd like there to be more research done!"

Samantha

"Tommy's helped us when our little boy was born at 35 weeks and had to spend some time in NICU. They also supported their friends who lost their baby at 13 weeks."

Tony

"I am running to get fit, raise awareness and raise money for an amazing charity that have helped myself and my wife."

Nicola

"For my rainbow babies Henry and Ollie"

Jamie

"Running for Nico"

Reasons for Running Stories

Two people posing together by a lakeside with rocks and water in the background.

Amie

Amie hoped she wouldn’t be able to run the LLHM this year, as she should be nearly 7 months pregnant. But devastatingly, she and husband Phil had a 5th heartbreaking loss last year. She ran the LLHM 2024 for Tommy’s.

Couple in wedding attire sitting on steps, smiling and holding drinks.

Caroline

Following care at Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research and 6 devastating losses, Caroline and Tom went on to adopt their daughter, who they love endlessly.

Newborn baby on a hospital bed with two adults leaning close, with medical staff in the background.

Tegan

Tegan endured 4 heart-breaking miscarriages before finally receiving the care she needed. After struggling in silence and feeling dismissed by doctors, a referral to Tommy’s partner recurrent miscarriage clinic changed everything. Tegan, now a proud mom of 3-year-old Teddy, is sharing her story to raise awareness and give hope to others navigating the pain of loss.

Close-up of adult hands gently holding a baby’s tiny hand.

Ben

After being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, Ben and Katie got pregnant via IVF in 2018. But on the day Katie was due to be induced, they were given the heartbreaking news their baby’s heart had stopped beating. Ben ran the LLHM 2024 in honour of his wife and daughter.

Race Day Interviews

Jack

Jack and his partner sadly lost their son, Brody, after he was born early at just 26 weeks. They later had a miscarriage in October 2024. In April 2025, Jack, his stepdad and father-in-law ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Tommy's, raising over £5,000 in Brody's name.

Steve

Steve is running in memory of his granddaughter River, who was sadly born asleep two years ago. After his daughter Nicola endured an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and the heartbreaking loss of River, Tommy’s provided vital support through therapy and care. Steve ran the LLHM 2025 to raise awareness and funds so fewer families face such pain, and celebrates the joy of Nicola’s rainbow baby, Sienna.

Nicol

After 11 miscarriages before 12 weeks, and her son Jack being stillborn at 29 weeks, Nicol was supported at Tommy's Recurrent Miscarriage Centre and went on to have two daughters - Emily and Charlotte.