A DAD who lost his baby son to a rare genetic condition is preparing to take on his
toughest fundraising challenge yet – running 110 miles in 24 hours to honour what would have been his son Oscar’s 10th birthday.
Jack Taylor, from Kenilworth, will take on the challenge today, in a bid to raise £10,000 for The Lily Mae Foundation, a Coventry-based baby loss charity that supported his family during the darkest days of their lives.
When Jack and his wife, Ellen, discovered they were expecting their second child in May 2016, they
approached the pregnancy with cautious optimism after experiencing two previous miscarriages.
But at their 12-week scan, doctors identified an enlarged bladder, prompting weeks of monitoring and
further investigations at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.
Despite the initial concerns, the family were given renewed hope. By the 20-week scan, Oscar appeared to
be developing well and doctors were reassured by his progress.
But just eight weeks later, everything changed. During a routine 28-week scan, doctors discovered serious
abnormalities affecting Oscar’s heart and brain. Further investigations, including an MRI scan, confirmed he
had Trisomy 13 (Patau’s syndrome) – a rare chromosomal condition associated with severe medical
complications and a very low chance of survival.
Jack said: “We knew our options and although it was the most horrific choice we have ever had to make, we
felt we had to protect our son from any more pain and suffering.
“We decided to let him go to sleep in mummy’s tummy, where he was most comfortable.”
Oscar was born sleeping at 32 weeks on December 7, 2016.
Nearly a decade on, Jack – also dad to Isabella, 11, and Emelia, eight – is taking on his biggest fundraising
challenge yet to give back to The Lily Mae Foundation, whose support has helped his family navigate life
after loss.
Jack said: “The support we’ve received over the years has been invaluable. They helped us create precious
memories with Oscar and reminded us that we would never have to face our grief alone.”
Determined to ensure other families receive the same support, Jack has spent almost a decade taking on
increasingly demanding fundraising challenges in his son’s memory including completing seven marathons
in seven days.
The Lily Mae Foundation supports families affected by pregnancy and baby loss by providing memory boxes, counselling and bereavement services. The charity works to ensure no family has to face the loss of a baby alone.
Visit justgiving.com/page/jack-taylor-110 to donate.
