Devauden dad Tom Piccirilli will be taking part in the Great Bristol Run on 25th September to raise funds and awareness for baby loss charity Saying Goodbye.

Tom, his wife Laura and their four year-old son Luca recently moved to Devauden and Tom has taken up running as a hobby. He intends to continue running after this half marathon, and is already looking ahead to the next one – and potentially a marathon in 2023.

The charity Saying Goodbye provides support, advice and information to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, the charity is a cause close to Tom and Laura’s hearts as they suffered the devastating loss of their baby girl, Noa, in 2021.

Tom and Laura are currently expecting a baby girl, due in December. This is the seventh time Laura has been pregnant. As well as losing Noa at five months, the couple have also experienced four earlier miscarriages.

Tom has found comfort in talking to others about his family’s experience and is keen to raise awareness of the help that is out there. “There’s a stigma around loss. It’s a topic parents rarely discuss. But one of the biggest things that have helped us is talking openly and honestly about Noa. My wife gave birth to her, she’s a person and she’s very much our child. It’s so important parents are encouraged to talk about their little ones.”

Saying Goodbye provides advice and support to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.

“They work tirelessly to support parents and they also help anyone who’s grieving the fact they have not been able to have children,” says Tom. “Support outside of charities like Saying Goodbye is scarce and charities in this space are rare, so it’s really important we do as much as we can to help them.”

To donate to Tom and help raise funds for Saying Goodbye, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thomas-piccirilli

Entries are still open for this year’s Great Bristol Run, for more information visit: www.greatrun.org/events/great-bristol-run/