A MUM will be keeping the memory of her baby boy alive as she joins thousands of people as they take to the streets in support of Acorns Children’s Hospice this weekend.
Wunmi Babalola will be taking part in Run Solihull on Sunday (August 11) – and says she’ll ‘probably cry at the beginning, the middle and the end’ as she remembers her beautiful boy Kayode.
The Solihull event will help raise vital funds for the charity and its lifeline care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions and support for their families.
Kayode died in February at almost eight-weeks-old, and for the final three weeks of his life he was cared for by Acorns Birmingham, in Selly Oak.
Wunmi, from Kings Norton, said “I’m doing it for my beautiful little boy, and for Acorns after their incredible care in looking after him. I thought I would love to give back and to keep Kayode’s memory alive. I do not want the world to forget him.
“I am excited about taking part but a little bit emotional. As much as I love doing it for Acorns, I also feel really sad. When it’s your first baby you do not expect them to pass away or end up at a children’s hospice.”
Wunmi, who will be supported by her partner, Kayode’s dad, Charlie on the day, hopes to raise more than £2,000.
She added: “Acorns was amazing and in Kayode’s loving memory I will be running 10k to raise money for them. I want to continue to raise money and do something every year. There is no footprint too small that it cannot leave an imprint in this world.”
The popular Solihull Run, organised by RunThrough, is supporting Acorns and includes a half marathon, a 10k run and first the first time there is a children’s race.
Kate Vousden, events manager at Acorns, said: “A huge thanks to Wunmi, Run Solihull and the thousands of people who will be taking part in this amazing event. Only with their help can we raise vital funds to care for local children and support their families during the darkest of times.
“There’s still time to enter the event and to join thousands of others as they support Acorns through the streets of Solihull, in what will be a fantastic day. Help can’t wait for parents like Wunmi and Charlie and local families who desperately need our children’s hospice care.”
Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and support for their families.
In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 750 children across the West Midlands, and supported almost 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.
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