Crosby man’s 84 marathons in 84 days to support parents after heartbreaking baby loss

A telecoms engineer from Crosby is running a staggering 84 marathons in 84 days to support parents who’ve suffered the loss of a baby.

Rob Stones, 31, has completed 26.2 miles every day since February 1 – even continuing part of his challenge on crutches when he suffered a painful infection after being bitten by a dog on one of his runs just two weeks in.

He will finish his epic feat a week on Saturday, April 25, and every penny raised will go to The Honeysuckle Bereavement Service which provides compassionate care at Liverpool Women’s Hospital for those experiencing pregnancy loss, still birth or neonatal death.

“There are times when I think how mad it is to do this” says Rob, who has just over a week to go. “I am tired, and my body’s aching. I have lost two stones since I started.

“There are moments when I think I’m not going to be able to do it.”

But he adds:

“That’s when remember why I’m doing it and I dig in. And I get it done.

“One of my toxic traits is thinking I can do anything if I put my mind to it, and this is one of those things.”

Rob has been a keen runner for about five or six years, hitting the pavements for fun a couple of times a week. As well as being a member of Marsh Lane Harriers running club, he plays football and tries generally to keep fit.

But it was the heartbreak of two close friends that inspired him to take things to a whole new level.

“Last year two of my friends suffered a miscarriage and I saw how it affected them, physically and emotionally.  It was a really hard time.

“Obviously I supported them how I could as a friend but, because I do quite a bit for charity, I wanted to do more.”

Rob chose The Honeysuckle Bereavement Service to raise money for and came up with his marathon effort after being inspired by his friend who, thankfully, is now pregnant again.

“She is having a rainbow baby which is due next month and told me how in the 84 days of the third trimester a woman’s body effectively goes through a marathon a day, operating at more than twice its normal metabolic rate to make a baby!

“So that’s how I came up with the 84 marathons in 84 days.”

Rob is still working while completing the challenge and while, initially, he tried to get part of the marathon done in the morning before his shift started and the rest of it afterwards, he is now doing it after work.

“I was finding it harder to get up earlier in the morning because my body’s tired and taking longer to recover,” he says.

“But I’ll do it, and my mum and dad – Ruth and Andrew – have been amazing, joining me for four or five miles which has been great.  They’ve been unbelievable, as have so many people.”

The total raised so far is just over £6,000 – almost three times the original target of £2,200, £1 for each mile that Rob will eventually run (it’s around 2,208 miles!).

Money raised will help The Honeysuckle Bereavement Service to provide memory making activities like cast making, wreathmaking and photographs, as well as tangible keepsakes for parents to cherish precious moments together.

It will go towards peer support sessions, an annual remembrance service, a suite of bereavement rooms to support families experiencing loss and offer home from home comforts, debrief rooms that are less clinical, a remembrance garden, Honeysuckle FC for dads, and training and expenses for bereavement volunteers.

“It’s money that will make a difference,” says Rob.  “The support has been phenomenal and I’m absolutely over the moon with what has been raised so far.  People have said it would be nice to get to £8,400 but we’ll see – everything now is a bonus.”

Kate Davis, head of fundraising at Liverpool Women’s Hospital’s charity, says: “After many, many years of fundraising I have never met someone with such drive and determination. What Rob is doing for the Honeysuckle Bereavement support team at LWH is truly inspirational. 

“The sheer physical and emotional grit needed for this challenge is immense and demonstrates Rob’s courage and conviction. We are incredibly grateful to Rob for enabling our bereavement team to continue providing tailored, sensitive baby bereavement care for our families who have sadly lost babies.”

Rob, who’s been taking part in other runs like the Liverpool Half Marathon, the Tunnel 10K, and park runs to help cover the distance, will be competing in the Manchester Marathon this weekend: “I think some people are expecting a great time, some that I just finish it – and some that I might collapse half way through,” he smiles.

The man himself will be aiming to have a great time and get nearer to completing the effort of his lifetime – so far!

He will finish his final marathon at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital where he started, and he says:

“I’m looking forward to seeing family and friends cheering me on, and knowing I have made a difference.

“It will be emotional and I’m sure there will be tears – but I’m hoping there will be a pint of Guinness too to celebrate!

Support Rob and The Honeysuckle Bereavement Service at Liverpool Women’s Hospital here.

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