Thank you!
Thank you to all our runners, raisers and supporters.We raised over £1600 for the Maternity Unit at Bolton
Our story was shown in the Bolton Evening News
Couple Raise Money to Thank Medical Team
Couple thank medical team who helped them after death of baby Spud
7:46am Monday 7th April 2014 in News
By Charlotte Dobson, Health reporter
By Charlotte Dobson, Health reporter
The challengers: Top row, Gareth Caunce, Rosh Fakira, Natalie Clarke, Sara Davies, Gill Dover and Josh Dover. Bottom row: Danny Davies, James Clarke, Craig Davies and Dave Lewis
THE heartbreak of losing a baby during childbirth is still a painful memory for Clare and Danny Davies — but that has not stopped them from thanking the medical teams who helped them through the ordeal.
Mr and Mrs Davies, from Atherton, were overjoyed when they discovered they were expecting in May, 2013 and after their first ultrasound scan, they affectionately named their baby “Spud”.
Mrs Davies had a difficult pregnancy but nothing could have prepared her for the trauma of the birth on August 30 last year.
Mr Davies, aged 34, said: “It’s all a blur looking back at it now but all I can remember is being told our baby would be born that night.
“I didn’t know what that meant at the time. All I felt was fear of losing both my wife and my baby at the same time.”
Their baby boy was stillborn that night, leaving the couple devastated.
Yet they say they could not have coped without the support of the staff on the maternity unit the Royal Bolton Hospital.
Mr Davies says they will always miss their little boy but felt it was important to thank the team of doctors and nurses who helped them.
The 34-year-old rounded up a team of family and friends to take on the Manchester Survival of the Fittest event, a 10km obstacle course, to raise cash for the maternity unit.
“Yet even looking back on something so traumatic and awful, we can remember how brilliant the staff were with us and we just wanted to do something to say thank you.Mr Davies added: “We were devastated. Little Spud was our first child and words can’t describe how it feels to go through something like that.
"We are still grieving and I don’t think that will ever go away completely. I think one of the ways to cope has been through remembrance.
“I had a bucket list of things to do before I was 40. One of them was to become father and I am still proud to say I am a father to our little boy.”
The couple have donated more than £1,600 to the delivery suite at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
The Rat Race
9th November 2013, our Rat Racing Cousins were ready for the day ahead. All looking fantastic with our new T-Shirts, Teddy Spud and Elmo the Green Duck, nothing could hold us back
A glorious Saturday afternoon, slightly chilly but at least it was sunny...at the start of the race!
Over Haystacks, Parkour Courses, round the Etihad Stadium a couple of times, a Steeple Chase Run our runners were feeling confident.
Then we arrived at the "Artic Monkey" an opened articulated lorry which we had to climb in and out of several times to complete the obstacle. As I helped Gilly Cuz into the lorry we heard a strange sound of rustling behind us in the tree line. As we turned, all we saw was a "white wall" heading towards us.
What can only be described as biblical hail came hurtling towards us, hail the size of marbles pounded the shelter of the Artic Monkey. We quickly dragged all the cousins in to shelter. This is when the most amazing lightening flash hit a silo near by and we came to the conclusion that standing in a huge metal box in an open field was not wise. So out into the hail we went, again.
What can only be described as biblical hail came hurtling towards us, hail the size of marbles pounded the shelter of the Artic Monkey. We quickly dragged all the cousins in to shelter. This is when the most amazing lightening flash hit a silo near by and we came to the conclusion that standing in a huge metal box in an open field was not wise. So out into the hail we went, again.
The weather never seemed to change from there, but spirits were high till the finish line. With only minor injuries and bruises we climbed the 8ft Wall of Death to claim our titles as Fastest Rat Race Cousins 2013.
All the pictures from the event can be found here
Thank you to everyone for their support and sponsorship through all of this, and thank you to the Rat Racers for enduring the pain and weather for our cause. You are all fantastic
Thank you to all at Green Duck for the T-Shirt sponsorship
Finally, thank you to Clare for encouraging me to do things like this and supporting me continuously
Please watch this video to give you some idea of what we went through (Thanks to Craig for creating this)
Remember as well, if you still want to support us, the fundraising page is still open.....#Running4Spud
The Final Countdown
This seems to have come around quicker than any of us thought, the week of the Rat Race is here......
Rosh is finalising the T-Shirts (thanks to Green Duck for the sponsoring and Funkie Junkie for the design), our mascot has been chosen - Elmo the green duck, and Manchester Sports City is now prepping for our visit.
So how are our Rat Racers getting on you may ask, how are they preparing this week for the big day........?
Danny - got a couple more runs planned this week, but definitely no more Tabata with Rosh.
My Legs are still aching from last Monday's session
Craig - This week I shall mostly be preparing Elmo @mygreenduck for the big event.....it's his first!
Gaz - Plenty training Danny.....None that I would like to broadcast on the internet so that it gives our competitors an edge! Our team is set to win our wave and I want to keep it that way....
I think Gaz maybe thinking of the wrong team, or this maybe Cousin Coach speak......motivational to say the least
I think Gaz maybe thinking of the wrong team, or this maybe Cousin Coach speak......motivational to say the least
James - Been eating loads of chocolate and resting, lots and lots of rest. I'm massively fit stamina wise, but still nursing my injury! Climbing is my enemy
Gilly - If I can get to the gym I will be cycling lots just to keep the bad knee mobile. Maybe a slow Rat Race, but it will be fun!
Josh - Knee! x-rays normal, possible cartilage and ligament. Waiting for NHS physio, Hey ho, still going to run but it will hurt - and haven't done any marathon training for 5 weeks.
Natalie - Not feeling ready at all....probably get a few runs in before the big day
Saz - outfit chosen. Saz will be winging it on the day. Still unsure if Saz will be going into the Leeds Liverpool canal.....only time will tell....
Daavv - I'm not doing anything! I'm magnificently unprepared.
I got some dietry plans for the end of the week to load up on energy and I'm gonna do plenty of cross training at the gym.
What you wearing?
Rosh - I've consumed 32 pints of Guinness (for medicinal purposes), 3 fry ups, 4 giant burgers, a pizza and no exercise. Good Stag Do, terrible training and bad hangover
A big thank you to everyone who has supported us, we have now hit over £1000.00
To see the Rat Race Boogie Videos (from which the pictures have been taken this week) please follow the links here:
2 Weeks left....
Less than two weeks till our intrepid Rat Racers finally take on the challenge of the Survival of the Fittest
The rainy season seems to have hit in full force with most of Manchester flooded.
The Cousin Team is in full training with our surrogate cousins in hand. We have always been a strong unit and I know we will continue to be. It is always great to know that family is always there to support and help you through everything, or just there for a bit of a giggle, no matter what the distance.
Our runners now should be in full fitness and rearing to go.....
Again, i sent a quick message to all our runners, and here are their responses:
Tabata makes me cry
Craig: Feeling the fittest he has felt for years, obviously a lot slimmer than the picture shown
Craig has also provided the team with their mascot, a huge bright green duck, which will be carried round the course with us
James: Training is going brilliantly. I've spent the last 2 weeks having physio! Physio will decide next week if I can do it or not
James is obviously the fastest cousin 2013, but he suffered damage from his win at the Olympic Triathlon earlier this year.
Gaz: Training not even happening Danny. Going with my usual technique of turning up and hoping for the best! However, now you've mentioned I am carrying a mascot this may just change... Someone obviously forgot to mention this to me!!!!!
Gilly: Slow, but managed 10 miles of hills and high winds today....knee pain
Josh: Josh was either still running marathons or his phone has broken, as he still hasn't responded.
Natalie: The youngest of all the cuz's, seems to be in full swing with training.
Think Natalie will be leading the pack and giving us piggy backs at her current level of fitness
Saz: Training going OK - yesterday I planned what I'm wearing
Daavv: I've stopped cardio training due to knee issues. Gonna have to turn up on the day and do the best I can
Had a teacake, then poo'd it out, sleepy
(i don't think this text was meant for me!)
Rosh: I have completed 2 runs at 6 mile and 7 mile last week. I've been to Tabata with Danny (who cries after each session)
1 Month to go....
With only 1 month to go till the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest, training and preparation is in full swing.
Rosh is designing our T-Shirts as the Co-Owner of Funkie Junkie Custom T-Shirts. We are looking forward to showboating these around the course
This week I asked our runners how the training was going....
Danny - Running 4 times a week to try and get back to Tri-Fitness. Got my first 10k run this weekend, I am definitely feeling better than a few weeks ago, but still have a long way to go. As a little wise guy once said, "Do, or do not. There is no try"
Craig - Ran 12k on Friday, in under 1 hour 20 mins
James - As an Olympic Champion, I take training very seriously. I always run up the stairs, even on "days off". Unfortunately, my training for the 10k run has involved cycling only as I cannot run due to hip injury. I should be seeing a physio soon and probably a witch doctor to see me right for the big day.
Gaz - Not sure how ready I am! Ran 52 mins for a 10k on Sunday...Worst time I've ever clocked! Didn't help that I was wearing fancy dress dinner suit mind! Pre-race beer as well at the end may be needed this year
Gilly - Training going well although very slow. I managed a 6 mile this week, aiming for a 10 mile next week. 4am gym sessions after feeding baby!!
Josh - was too busy running and looking after Jacob to comment - will follow soon
Natalie - Ok, so at the start of training i hated the sickly feeling and tried to have a mental attitude towards it. I'm feeling comfortable at the moment doing about 5/6k. Starting to push myself more now and using the 10k BUPA challenge. Running every other day and in between my flexible shifts at work.
Saz - Training so far is best described as minimal to non-existent. I am definitely going to be the comedy element of the team
Daavv - I'm running a mile on the treadmill in the time it takes me to listen to the full version of Freebird.
Rosh - It's going rubbish, I was ill last week but I'm getting back on track. I am currently just doing gym work but I need to man up and start again, also need a training buddy....Pondo?
Rosh has kindly taken the place of Beewell, who has his brother-in-law's wedding to go to on the day of the Rat Race. Beewell, although over 100 mile away, is our substitute runner and is preparing well for this position.
Beewell - The treadmills have all been moved to the back of the gym and are facing a blank wall. They used to face the mirrors and the tv screen. Whoever had this idea need to have their head examined!
The Rat Racers
Our son, Spud, was sadly born sleeping on 30th August 2013 at 2:40am. (38 - Be a Dad)
After Craig, James, Gaz and I did the rat race last year (proof is in the video - well, proof we were mucky and had a beer at the end!), we knew that 2013 would be a return to the course
Bringing along a few extra cousins and friends this time we are tackling the obstacles and 10k run as a team of 10
If you would like to sponsor us, please go to our fundraising page here: Running for Spud
Our team is:
Danny:Officially the Fastest Cousin 2011, Danny competed in the Rat Race last year so kind of knows what is ahead.
Took early retirement after his glory days of 2011 but is now back in training and ready to take on the Etihad Stadium once more.Craig:
Officially the Fastest Cousin 2012, Craig is the eldest cousin taking part in the Rat Race this year, so we will be looking out for him
Last year Craig managed to get caught in an obstacle for several minutes whilst we all watched him struggle, so I know he has put extra effort into climbing through spiders webs recently to avoid embarrassment this year.
Officially the Fastest Cousin 2013, and also the fastest Olympian Cousin for completing an Olympic Triathlon in a record cousin's time this year.
James will prepare for this run the usual way, by consuming his body weight in food the day before and then going for a really big poo just before the race.
Gaz (Mr Caunce)Last years Cousin's Coach is reprising his role to ensure they all make it round again.
Due to Gaz's extreme height he was useful in climbing the higher obstacles and pulling the shorter of the team over.
Hopefully this is a skill he will be bringing back as there are even shorter cousins this time.
Gilly:Gill, just being a little younger than Craig but far fitter, is the one to watch.
Not letting her "plantar fasciitis" ever stop her from running, Gill will be launching herself into walls and over canals with ease.
In relation to her current training plan, Gill said, "Been doing lots of 5k to start, beat my PB last week but now starting some interval training and longer runs - that is when Jacob lets me go out and play!!!!"
Josh runs marathons for fun so this 10k is not even registering on his fear factor.
He has been known as a runner for some time, but he does have to watch out for the occasional sniper.
Don't know if this is one of the obstacles this year!
Natalie:
The Little Cuz, she is dainty and cute, but I am sure she will be the first in the canal (whether she wants to or not!)
Weighing in at 3 stone she will be thrown over most obstacles and I am sure she will be smiling all the way round.
Sara has signed up for the Brighton Marathon next year, so is using this event mearly as a practice run.
Sara has her disinfectant and full diving gear ready for the canal crossing as she is determined not to have any dirt on her by the finish......
Dave (or John) has been known to get far too giddy before an event and not get up in time due to lack of sleep, so we are not telling him too much about this one. We will hopefully see him at the start line.
Rosh has gladly accepted Beewell's position in the Rat Race at short notice (although he still is unsure what the Rat Race is). So we will be expecting a Brummy accent and geeky giggles all the way round to represent Beewell.
Rosh is a seasoned runner who will be there to drive the pack on - possibly Supporting Cousins Coach title.
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