A CHESTER man has described the pride he has in raising more than £1,000 in honour of the people who supported him and his wife through baby loss.
James Boatwright, 36, and his wife Rachael lost daughter Robyn at 37 weeks of pregnancy five years ago.
This, said James, added to the depression and drug addiction he had lived with for a decade, and left him “in a dark place”.
But recently, James presented cheques to the Countess of Chester Lavender Midwives and a baby loss support group, also at the hospital, following a cycling challenge to New Brighton and back.
He has raised nearly £1,500 and said the challenge was part of his work to improve his life and those around him.
“Losing Robyn changed our lives forever,” he said.
“The grief has never gone away, and over the years I’ve also battled depression and more than a decade of drug addiction.
“There have been some incredibly difficult periods, and at times I’ve struggled to see a way forward.
“But I’ve been working hard to rebuild my life, find a healthier direction and become the husband and dad I want to be.
“Earlier this year, I decided to undertake a 70-mile charity cycle from Chester to New Brighton and back, raising money for two organisations that hold a very special place in our hearts: the local baby loss support group and the Lavender Midwives at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
“I’m incredibly proud to have raised £1,479.90.
“I’ve now personally delivered the donations, with half going to the support group and the other half to the Lavender Midwives.
“For me, the second donation was particularly emotional. It was delivered to Lesley, the midwife who personally supported us through losing Robyn.
“In many ways, this fundraising challenge meant more to me personally than I can put into words.
“It gave me something tangible to do in Robyn’s memory and a way of giving something back to the people who helped us during the worst experience of our lives.
“I hope that by sharing my story, I can show that even after years of grief, depression and addiction, it is possible to start rebuilding your life, find purpose again and do something positive for others.”
James added that the future is looking bright and thanked those who supported him.
He said: “I also hope to recognise people like Craig Brown and the team at Rage Fitness & Wellbeing, who make such a difference to people’s lives in the community, often without realising just how much.
“The community Craig has helped create has given me somewhere to belong, something to work towards and a reason to keep pushing myself, even on the difficult days.
“Today, Rachael and I are lucky enough to have our beautiful little boy Leo in our lives. He brings us so much happiness, but that will never mean Robyn is forgotten.
“She will always be our daughter, and she will always be part of our family.
“Losing a child is something you never truly get over. I don’t think the grief ever disappears; you just learn to live alongside it.
“With time, it becomes easier to carry, even though there will always be moments when you wish things had been different.
“If there’s one thing I’d like people to take from my story, it’s that no matter how dark life can become, things can change.
“There can be happiness after heartbreak, purpose after years of struggle and a future you might once have struggled to imagine.
“There is always hope.”
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