Running in the family 

Once again our 50-strong team of runners did us proud. The day was charged with excitement as the streets thronged with supporters and FSID staff in bright green t-shirts cheered on the team at our cheering post.

For many running in memory of a baby, the day was an emotional one. There were couples and siblings running together and even a mother, father and daughter team - Davina, Andrew and Emily Clay.

The Clay family of Melton Mowbray ran in memory of two of their children: Holly, who passed away in March 1984 at the age of 14 months and Samuel, who died at 20 months in 1987. 

Andrew explains:  “We were highly motivated because of what’d happened to us - we wanted to do something which could help others avoid what we have gone through”

The family trained together, adhering to a rigorous 18-week plan. A mother’s day present for Davina this year was a 21-mile training run around a local reservoir! They also fundraised together, raising over £8500 from sponsorship and events at the schools where Andrew and Davina work. Finally they got lots of media coverage in local newspapers, two radio interviews and an emotional television appearance on BBC East Midlands Today. 

Andrew comments:  “Few can imagine the pain of losing two children. However, we are grateful for our wonderful daughter who is an example to all who suffer the death of a sibling. She set the challenge to run the marathon, and as a family we completed it, overjoyed to achieve something both for FSID and in loving memory of our children.” 


FSID would like to thank all 50 of our London Marathon Team 2008 for their months of hard work, determination and dedication to our cause.


View pictures of our 2008 runners in our marathon gallery
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