Family's swim for baby charity

By ksmith

A Winkleigh mum whose daughter was stillborn has completed a 2,550m swim in her memory.

Tania Wilson was joined by 20 other swimmers at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton on Sunday to raise money for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

Tania's daughter Amy was stillborn on July 30 last year due to a placental abruption.

Tania said: "I wanted to make people aware that this happens and also how many parents and families are affected by stillbirth. I don't believe that people realise how common it is in this day and age and what a devastating impact it has on a family."

She added: "You get to a stage where you think everything is going swimmingly but within half an hour, Amy had gone. There are no words to describe it."

Tania thanked the team at North Devon District Hospital, including midwife Sue Ware, and also everyone who joined her in the swim.

She said: "I'm delighted that so many friends agreed to join me in the sponsored swim. It was tiring, but it was worth it.

"Incredibly 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every single day in the UK, and the Sands Why17? Campaign, which we were raising funds for, aims to raise awareness of this devastating loss and to raise £1.7 million towards research to better understand why so many babies are dying."

The group, which included Tania's husband and six-year-old son, swam 17 miles between them. Close friend Natasha Moore helped Tania organise the event, and most of the village offered their support. Medals, provided by Running Imp International, were awarded to everyone who took part.

The total raised is not yet known, but Tania is hoping to reach the £1,000 mark.