Marie is running the 2019 Great North Run for Sands. When we asked our #TeamSands runners why they're taking on 13.1 miles for Sands this September Marie wrote to us and told us her story.

'I have been aware of Sands since 1995 when my son Kieran was stillborn during labour. Since then I have done various fundraising events in the past including a 17 mile walk with my friends and we raised over £6,000. In 2015 I decided to start up a Sands group in Shetland we got a committee together, sands provided all the support and four of us did the befriender training.

Sands is like my 2nd family, it's a group of people who I would never have known if it wasn't for Kieran. It's a club you never would chose to be part of but I would never like to be away from the support.

Myself and William Tait chose Sands as our charity in memory of Kieran and all the babies born sleeping.

As two non runners the Great North Run would be a huge achievement for both of us.

So far we have held a coffee morning and a charity ball and our total so far is roughly £9,200 the best part of fundraising for this event has been speaking more about Sands and making more people aware of our group in Shetland.'

Marie and William have done an amazing job with their fundraising. Having raised £9,200 so far, we are just so incredibly grateful for everything they've done for us this year. They'll be running along with our team of 50 other #SandsSuperstars taking on one of the biggest half marathons in the world. We'll be at Mile 4 supporting them and we can't wait to thank them for all they've done in person.