A GRANDFATHER who was knocked off his bike just 12 miles into a Lands End to John O’Groats charity ride is preparing to take on the challenge again.
Brian English, 61, took on the ride back in 2019 in memory of his stillborn daughter, Siobhan Elizabeth.
Unaware of the extent of his injuries after getting knocked off he bravely got back up and kept pedalling for another 20 miles.
But he had to withdraw and doctors later found he had broken his hip.
After recovering Mr English is preparing to once again ride the route to help the stillbirth and neonatal death society (SANDS).
Next month is the society's awareness month and will highlight the support for people affected by the death of a baby.
Mr English, the chair of Essex SANDS said: “I was very upset when I had to pull out, I didn’t know I had broken my hip and I asked the surgeon did I do it more damage riding on and he said it didn’t do it very good.”
Mr English, of South Woodham Ferrers, has since had a hip replacement and is now recovered and will be taking part in the bike ride again this September.
Essex SANDS is a volunteer-led group based in South Woodham Ferrers providing support for people who are suffering the loss of a baby.
The charity promotes research and works to improve the care for bereaved parents by providing emotional and practical support and holding monthly meetings.
Mr English said: “The loss of a child in pregnancy or childbirth affects parents for life but the wider public is not always aware of the significant and full impact of such a tragedy.
“There’s a lot of stigmas around baby loss, people don’t know what to do or say to someone who has lost their baby.
“When parents dreams of this baby are taken away it’s hard for friends and family to know what to do but it is always best to say something than nothing.
“In The UK, 13 babies die a day so raising awareness of the support is very important.”
Brian has a JustGiving page to raise money for Essex SANDS which can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brian-english2
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