Birkenhead gran set to complete triple run challenge for families who face the ‘unthinkable’

A Birkenhead gran is set to complete an incredible triple running challenge for Claire House in memory of her late granddaughter, Hope.

Annette Jones has already run the Chester 10K in March and the Chester Half Marathon in May to raise hundreds of pounds for the children’s hospice.

And next month the 56-year-old is hoping to reach the finish line in her most testing event yet, the Chester Metric Marathon, to say thank you to the Merseyside children’s hospice which ‘is there for people like my family in their darkest times’.

Annette says:

“I enjoy running but I’m not the best – I’ve even been known to be the last!

“But I wanted to give something back to Claire House which is truly amazing.

“It was such a difficult time when my granddaughter passed away at just 10 days old, but Claire House was there, and still are there, to support us and help us through the unthinkable.

“I think many people know about the work Claire House does for children born with life-limiting illnesses,” adds Annette, an operations assistant for United Utilities, “but I don’t feel as many people know about how much after care they offer to people who unfortunately lose a child.

“It was the little things they provided for my daughter Jess, and her husband Owen, like the hand and footprint charms which they would never have thought to get, and which are so precious now.”

Annette’s youngest daughter Jess, 31, already had two young children, Keeley who’s now six and four-year-old Myla, when she became pregnant with Hope early in 2023.

But fears grew for Jess who developed life threatening complications throughout her pregnancy.

“They were anxious about making sure they delivered Hope via a c-section due to the complications,” says Annette, “but there were no concerns about Hope at that point.”

It was when Hope was born in August at 30 weeks and rushed straight to the neonatal unit that the family realised things were wrong. Tests revealed the tiny baby had been born with various complications and had suffered oxygen deprivation throughout pregnancy.

“She was a little fighter, and we thought things were getting better when she passed the 24 hour and then 48 hour milestones,” says Annette. “But although she battled, she passed away at 10 days.

“Claire House was there for Jess and Owen though, doing the footprints and giving worry bears to Keeley and Myla so they can write down and share their worries with them.

“They have been a tremendous support for Jess and Owen and the girls, with therapy, massages, and sibling events like Easter egg hunts, as well as providing the keepsakes that mean so much and organising socials so they realised they’re not on their own.

“I decided to raise money after Owen did the Chester Marathon for Claire House last year and I saw the sense of achievement when he did that.

“A full marathon is beyond me but seeing his commitment and pride at what he’d done inspired me to do something too.

“And I decided to do the Chester Triple so I’d get not one medal but one from each race and a fourth for doing all three,” smiles Annette, who also has a daughter Toni, 34, who’s mum to Paisley.

Annette, who also did the Tunnel 10K with Owen last year, trains three times a week with three runs – a long one on Sundays – and weight-training once a week.

“It’s the hardest thing I have ever done, it’s my biggest challenge yet, but if I can raise funds and help to support people in their darkest times then it’s the least I can do.

“The pressure that Claire House took off Jess and Owen – who went on to have another daughter Aria earlier this year – and the help they gave to help them through the grieving process was incredible and if I can give even a little bit back of what they have given to us, that’s the best thing for me.

“And it’s not just the money, but raising awareness of what they do, so that other families realise there is help if they sadly need it and know that they are not alone.”

Help Annette raise funds here.

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