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Two families affected by baby loss have banded together for the fourth time to organise a charity trail run on the spectacular South-East coast.
The run is in support of Philip's Footprints, a local charity that supports bereaved families and provides funding professional training for health professionals, antenatal equipment and information on safer pregnancies for pregnant women to reduce the stillbirth and premature birth rates and complications at birth.
Seymour Sprint has become an annual fixture since it started in 2020, just before lockdown.
Helier de Veulle, who lost his first-born daughter Katherine, who was sadly stillborn at full term in 2007, created the event to boost his charity fundraising for the 2020 London Marathon.
The marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic — but the Seymour Sprint went ahead, and has been going strong every year since.
Seymour Sprint runners in previous years had “wet feet, but grins like Cheshire cats,” said Helier.
The event will take place this year on 22 April, and there are two distance options. The longer route is 10km long, from Longbeach to Seymour Tower and back again.
The organisers promise that the route will have plenty of obstacles, like puddles, rugged terrain and incoming tide.
For those wanting something shorter, the “dry feet option” is 6km from Longbeach to Seymour Slip and back.
Jo Nash, the founder of Philip’s Footprints, said: “We are delighted to have the Seymour Sprint as part of our annual fundraising calendar and on a beautiful and iconic part of Jersey’s coastline.
“Our community are always such great supporters of charity and sporting events and we look forward to a great turn out as people take the opportunity to enjoy this unique event, whilst supporting a charity at the same time.”
Jo Nash and her husband Paul started the charity Philip’s Footprints after losing their son Philip in 2008.
Jo and Paul met Helier and his wife, Vicky, through a support group and Helier is now a supporter of the charity. Vicky is a trustee.
Both Seymour Sprint courses will be fully marshalled, and dogs and children over the age of 10 are allowed to take part but they must be accompanied.
Runners can sign up on the Race Nation website.
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