Dumfries woman's fundraising helps her deal with heartbreak of losing two babies

The support Vika Paul received from befrienders at Dumfries and Galloway SANDS spurred her into running 50 miles in one month

Dumfries woman Vika Paul’s recent fundraising mission for the region’s stillborn and neonatal death charity helped her to start dealing with the heartbreak of losing two babies.

It was the support she received from befrienders at Dumfries and Galloway SANDS that spurred her into running 50 miles in one month for the cause.

Vika said she wanted to “give something back to this amazing charity as it has a very special place in my heart”.

SANDS was the only organisation that Vika felt could provide the much needed support she and her husband needed at the most heartbreaking of times –- the loss of two pregnancies.

And she was delighted to hand over a cheque for £1,421 to the charity’s Alison Hall recently.

Vika said: “I wanted to take up this challenge, not only to raise money for this amazing charity, but to also promote awareness of the help they offer no matter the pregnancy term.

“Each loss is painful, but Dumfries SANDS befrienders were there for us when our world turned into darkness, confusion and a place with no hope. We will be forever grateful for the tremendous work they do.”

Despite aches, pains and cramps, Vika said the 50-mile challenge had a huge mental impact on her.

“Each run reminded me of why I was doing this. Thinking of all those poor parents affected by the loss of a baby and reliving my memories of our own loss.

“It felt like a constant battle. The anger, sadness, confusion and loss of hope all acting like demons on my shoulder as I ran.”

But three weeks in from her first run, things became easier.

She said: “I finally started dealing with my demons and not being tortured by them.

“I tried to focus on hope, positivity, my wellbeing and why I am doing all this running.

“I was helped enormously by the support from my sponsors, family, friends, colleagues and even people that I have never met before. It felt amazing.

“Reaching out to so many people and raising awareness amongst our community kept me focused and determined to keep going.

“I see this challenge as a very important event of my life. I relived my sadness all over again, yet learnt to deal with it and I managed to raise money for a great cause.

“It was a kind of self-healing of sorts which made me look at things differently.

“I want to thank everyone who donated and supported me when I felt at my lowest during this challenge.

“Also, a very big thank you to my befrienders Alison and Ashley, as well as Emma at Blumen in Dalswinton Village where my last run took place. Emma had a wee jar for donations and advertised my cause.

“Of course, I cannot forget my lovely husband who always was there to encourage, support and comfort me.”

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