7 Marathons in 7 Days: Jack’s incredible challenge for The Lily Mae Foundation🏃

This December Jack Taylor, bereaved dad and Trustee for the Lily Mae Foundation is undertaking an extraordinary challenge in memory of his son Oscar; running 7 marathons in 7 days! Jack's fundraiser will take place December 1st - December 7th, with his final marathon on Oscar’s birthday. This incredible challenge is far more than a display of physical strength. It is a tribute to the enduring love, resilience, and unshakable connection between a bereaved parent and their baby.

Jack and Ellen’s Journey of Loss

Jack and his wife Ellen’s story began in May 2016 when they discovered they were expecting their second child. Already parents to their daughter Isabella and having experienced two prior miscarriages, they approached the pregnancy with cautious optimism. However, complications arose early. At the 12-week scan, doctors noted an enlarged bladder, leading to weeks of monitoring and tests at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

Initially there was hope. By 20 weeks, scans showed improvements, and the family started to believe their baby would be okay. But at 28 weeks, their world came crashing down. Detailed scans revealed serious complications with their baby’s heart and brain. A subsequent MRI confirmed Trisomy 13 (Patau's Syndrome), a rare chromosomal condition associated with severe disabilities and low survival rates.

Faced with an unimaginable decision, Jack and Ellen chose to spare their son further pain. At 32 weeks, their beloved Oscar William Taylor was born sleeping on December 7, 2016.

Why 7 Marathons in 7 Days?

Each year, as Oscar’s birthday approaches, Jack looks for ways to honour his memory and give back to The Lily Mae Foundation. The charity played a crucial role in supporting Jack and Ellen after their loss.

In 2023, Jack ran 7 miles every day throughout December to mark Oscar’s 7th birthday. This year, he’s raising the bar with 7 marathons in 7 days, a total of 183.4 miles, finishing on December 7th, Oscar’s birthday.

When asked why running? Jack said “I’ve been through a lot of dark and tough times since losing Oscar, but running has always helped me mentally, so this challenge just seemed perfect to me!” 

How Your Support Can Make a Difference

Here are some of the main ways your generous donations will help us support bereaved parents:

• Memory boxes to preserve precious moments.

• One to One Baby Loss Support for bereaved parents.

• Sibling support days to help families heal together, through loss and grief

• Rainbow baby groups and pregnancy after loss support for those navigating hope after heartbreak.

By supporting Jack’s challenge, you’re not only honouring Oscar’s memory but also ensuring that more families will receive that much needed support following the devastating loss of a baby.

How You Can Help

Jack’s 7-day marathon journey is an incredible challenge, and he needs your encouragement and support. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Donate: Contribute to Jack’s fundraising page here to help him reach his goal. CLICK HERE TO DONATE

2. Spread the Word: Share Jack’s story on social media to inspire others to support this meaningful cause.

Cheer Him On: Whether in person or online, send Jack your messages of encouragement as he tackles this incredible challenge or join him for a mile or 2 on one of his marathons!

Get behind Jack for this unbelievable fundraising challenge this December!