Inspired by the bravery of her clients, our clinical negligence Associate Helen Rundle traded the desk for the pavement to walk 233km throughout June and raise money for stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands.
Helen clocked up a total of 315,000 steps and 233km on the school run, rambling in and around her village and, on Father’s Day, walking on a disused part of the Silverstone F1 track while watching the Caterham Festival.
The challenge was part of Sands’ walk 90k in June initiative, which encouraged people to raise money for the charity by walking the equivalent length of 1,000 football pitches – ensuring no one faces the loss of a baby alone. In total, the national event has raised more than £430,000 for Sands.
Helen said: “Sands is an amazing charity that supports parents through unimaginable grief while working to implement positive change. The team has supported many of my past and present clients and I am truly thrilled to have completed this challenge on behalf of the charity.
“I was inspired by my clients who have endured the heartbreak of stillbirth and neonatal death, family and friends who have suffered miscarriage and the tragedy outlined in the Ockenden report.
“In June, I covered 233.04km, with 90.56km of that from making time to go out walking. Some days, it was a chore to find the time and go out walking but others, particularly the sunny days we had in June, it was an absolute pleasure. Getting out in the fresh air and walking away any negativity from the day has been amazing!”
During her 12 years specialising in clinical negligence, Helen has supported many bereaved parents in their fight for justice and answers. Most recently, she settled a medical negligence claim against Chesterfield Royal Hospital after a mother-of-three was forced to deliver her daughter stillborn as her requests for an induced labour were ignored.
Helen said: “While the Ockenden report may have focused on the failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, its findings are indicative of maternity services across the country – highlighting how important Sands’ work is. Failures in care are being repeated because lessons are not learned – there has to be change and there has to be candour when mistakes are made.”
Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, improve the care bereaved parents receive and create a world where fewer babies die.
To donate to Helen’s JustGiving page, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-rundle1.
