Kielder Marathon teams up with North East baby loss charity

Organisers of one of the North East’s best loved running events have announced details of a new charity partnership for 2024. The Kielder Marathon will work with 4Louis, which is dedicated to providing comfort and support to families navigating the devastating loss of a baby or child. The Kielder Marathon weekend will take place on 5 and 6 October at Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside Park, with the backdrop of Kielder Reservoir.

Founded in 2010 by Steve Cram and dubbed ‘Britain’s most beautiful’, the Kielder Marathon weekend now attracts over 3,500 participants for a series of races. Along with the marathon, the event includes a half marathon, 10K, junior runs and a gravel duathlon (run-bike-run). Along with keen competition at the front of each race, many who take part do so to raise money for good causes, including the event’s official charity partner, which is now 4Louis.

Based in Sunderland, 4Louis is a national charity that supports anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and the death of a baby or child. The organisation provides memory boxes to help families remember their loved one, and offers useful tools, equipment, and training free of charge to hospital units, hospices, and other professionals who work with grieving families.

4Louis is actively recruiting people to participate in the Kielder Marathon events, and fundraise for 4Louis by doing so. Event organisers will promote the work of the charity and encourage those who enter to support its work. 4Louis will feature prominently in Kielder Marathon communications material and will have a presence at Kielder Waterside Park throughout the event weekend.

Amber Langley, project manager at 4Louise, comments: “At 4Louis, we are thrilled to be named the official charity partner of the Kielder Marathon events. This partnership signifies not only a shared commitment to health and wellness but also a profound dedication to supporting families through their most challenging times. We’re honoured to join forces with the Kielder Marathon team and look forward to making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Kielder Marathon founder Steve Cram adds: “In the years since we founded the Kielder Marathon, we’ve heard many stories about how participants have got involved to support good causes. This desire to help others is one of the great characteristics about events like ours and I’m always blown away by the selflessness and generosity of people. We’re delighted to be working with a charity that does such vital work to help those who are dealing with the toughest circumstances. I look forward to seeing a lot of 4Louis vests on the start line in October, and I hope that they raise a lot of money.”

Anyone who wants to take part in a Kielder Marathon event and fundraise for 4Louis can send an email to events@4louis.co.uk. To find out more about the charity, visit www.4louis.co.uk.

For more information about the Kielder Marathon races and to book a place, visit www.kieldermarathon.com. Follow @kielder_marathon on Instagram for the latest updates from the event.