A FORMER rugby player swapped crunching tackles for a brutal mountain trail to raise thousands of pounds for bereaved parents — and did it on the anniversary of his daughter’s death.
More used to battling it out on the rugby pitch, Donaghadee man Phil Whyte laced up his running shoes to take on one of his toughest challenges yet – completing the notoriously demanding Tollymore Trail Marathon in Newcastle in aid of the Ulster Hospital’s Forget Me Not focus group.
The group, based within Maternity Services at the South Eastern Trust, supports parents who have experienced the loss of a baby or child, offering compassionate care throughout their grief journey.
Former Bangor rugby player Phil raised almost £3,000, finishing the race in memory of his baby daughter Sophie, who was stillborn on November 8, 2019.
The marathon took place on Sophie’s anniversary, a date Phil and his family chose deliberately as a way of giving back to the maternity unit that supported them at their darkest time.
Phil said: “The staff really looked after us when we lost Sophie at 37 weeks. We want to thank everyone who donated. I wish I could do more and we hope that the funds raised will help both the maternity unit and Forget Me Not Group.”
South Eastern Trust interim lead midwife Sarah McKevitt praised the family’s efforts.
“We are very grateful for the donation and it will go a long way to supporting our families and the staff to care for our parents,” she said. “It is lovely that Phil and Carley have come up to see us and give the unit this very kind donation. We are very grateful.”
