Grief stricken parents have opened up about the day they were told their baby boy had “no heartbeat”.
Laura Graham and husband Thomas said their world was “turned upside down” when their beloved son Luca was stillborn on February 19 this year.
But the couple will turn their terrible loss into a positive legacy with a 40 mile run and cycle set to raise money for the Co Down hospital that helped them through their pain.
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Laura, 37, who lives in Kilkeel with Thomas and their four other children said nothing prepared the couple for what lay ahead. Laura recalls being in “complete shock” when told there was “no heartbeat”.
“The whole pregnancy was going good until that horrifying moment when the consultant told us the heartbreaking words ‘I’m sorry there is no heartbeat’. Nothing could prepared us for that and what came next and I don’t think it ever will. No pain will ever amount to that day.”
But now Laura and Thomas are channeling their grief into creating something positive in Luca’s memory and later this month will embark on a 40-mile bike and run to raise money for the Willow Bereavement Suite at Daisy Hill Hospital. The course the bike and run will follow reflects the route the family always took to Daisy Hill Hospital.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Laura added: “We would just love to show our gratitude and how much we appreciated everything under the difficult time of our lives as a family and help those who will face similar traumas and heartbreaking losses. The staff did everything they could for us as a grieving family they went above and beyond to help us.”
Laura, well known as a top distance runner, and Thomas initially set a target of £500 but have already raised in excess of £11,000 ahead of their fundraising challenge on Saturday, June 17.
“We are doing this in loving memory of our precious baby boy Luca Thomas Graham,” she said.
“Unfortunately on 19th February 2023 we suffered the heartbreaking loss, stillborn birth of our precious little boy Luca. Nothing prepared us for what lay ahead and with our world turned upside down but we were supported by staff at the Willow Bereavement Suite at Daisy Hill Hospital.”
Their aim is to raise as much money as possible for the Bereavement Suite in Daisy Hill Hospital.
“Thomas (on bike) and myself on foot are setting off on our journey up through the mountains heading to Daisy Hill Hospital before turning back on the same route home,” said Laura.
“We choose Daisy Hill as that’s the hospital Luca was born in.”
The route will be approximately 20 miles each way which will begin at their own house and head over the mountains towards Daisy Hill Hospital and then take the same direction on the way back.
Laura added: “This challenge is the longest distances we will have ran/bikes but it means a lot to us.”
Laura said the family are very grateful for the level of support they have received from the hospital during this difficult time.
The family will also be doing a street collection on Saturday, June 17, in Kilkeel.
“Our beautiful kids and family support network are going on course for support but our kids with their aunts and uncles are also doing a street collection on the same day in Kilkeel and supporting them would be amazing,” she added.
You can support and donate to Laura and her inspiring family by donating to her fundraising page by clicking the link here.
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