CHARITY #NINE4NORAH
The emotional impact of losing a child is unimaginable, but Ross Coniam from PDA Associate Partner firm Owatrol UK knows that pain first-hand. On 29 May 2018, Ross and his wife Naomi spent just nine hours with their daughter, Norah, before she sadly passed away. In the weeks and months after Norah’s death, Ross and his wife
were supported by their wonderful friends and family. They were also supported by charities such SANDS, 4Louis, Iolanthe Midwifery and Keech Hospice who do an amazing job. Ross decided that he would fundraise for these charities and #Nine4Norah came about. To date Ross has raised over £55,000 for the charities. We asked him about his amazing efforts...
Tell us about the charity... “Our baby girl, Norah Faith, was born on 29 May 2018 weighing 8lbs. She was just perfect... The most beautiful little dot we'd ever laid eyes on, it was love at first sight! “Unfortunately our brief moment of ecstasy soon turned into a nightmare as Norah
showed no signs of life and didn't breathe for the first 18 minutes. She was whisked off to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where doctors tried relentlessly to find any sign of hope that Norah would improve, but it was not to be. “After just 9 hours and 56 minutes
with us, Norah spread her wings and joined the other angels in the sky. Her last 30 minutes were the most precious of our lives... My wife and I having cuddles with her, with no machines or wires keeping her alive. I will never forget how beautifully calm and peaceful those minutes were, just the three of us, even though we knew they would be our first and last with Norah alive in our arms. “With the wonderful support we received
from the charities, I decided to start fundraising and doing events to raise awareness and money for them.”
What are the challenges
you have done this year? “The BIG Half Marathon, Virgin London Marathon, Isle of Wight 106km Ultra Challenge, Endure 24, London to Brighton Bike Ride, 135 mile 6 Day Walk from the source of the River Thames to Norah's grave in Chorleywood, 24hr National Three Peaks, 20 mile Walk from Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge, and was due to take part in the Great North Run but postponed until next year due to injury.”
How do you feel at the moment? “My feelings are very much a rollercoaster, as they have been since May last year. Of course, we still grieve Norah every day, but we also now have our rainbow, Norah’s Brother Ernie who brings us so much joy but also shows us what we missed with Norah. “I am proud that I have got through the challenges. The awareness and money we
have raised is incredible and the legacy that Norah is leaving makes me very, very proud. The pain of our loss will never go away, but we are learning to deal with this in the best way we can.”
What would you say to anyone else who has experienced a loss of a newborn?
“That is such a difficult question to answer as every story is different, but what I can say is that you are not alone. It will feel that way, but
there are groups and charities out there to support you. Try not to be silent, open up and do not be scared to let your emotions out. “One thing that my wife and I have tried to do is start traditions with
Norah. Lighting sparklers on bonfire night, setting up a stocking for Christmas and having a picnic at her grave on her birthday amongst other
things. “I am open for anyone to make contact either through our #Nine4Norah social media or directly to my mobile phone number or email address.”
In 2019 Ross was nominated for the Heart FM Hertfordshire Hero Award for Fundraising, and the London Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards where he was interviewed live on the red carpet by ITV News London.
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You can donate on Ross’s fundraising page
www.gofundme.com/nine4norah
What more have you got planned in the future? “For the rest of 2019, I am currently taking part in Movember to raise awareness of Men’s Mental Health and raising money for MIND Charity. “In early December I will be completing a 5k Santa Run which I intend to jog pushing my baby Boy Ernie in the stroller.
“In 2020 I plan to continue growing the campaign
#Nine4Norah and currently have three physical challenges booked. I also plan to run a minimum of 9.56 miles per week and will ask anyone to join in and keep me updated. “My biggest passion for the coming year is to start
building a local network, which I plan to call #DadsandLads. The idea behind this is to have a meet-up group focused on Dads that have lost children, but also any men suffering with mental health issues. “Since losing Norah, it has come apparent that
there is not enough support out there the for fathers. This will be a peer to peer group rather than professional (to start with anyway), somewhere men can chat (if they want) and be free to open up and not be judged.”
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