Caring midwife Roslyn runs gruelling 50km to help bereaved parents

Charity effort will support RAH fund

A senior midwife will take on a gruelling challenge tomorrow as she completes a 50km ultra marathon to raise funds for parents affected by baby loss.

Roslyn Lolic, a charge midwife at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, is collecting donations for the RAH Maternity Bereavement Fund.

She told how the money will be used for the upkeep of a bereavement room for parents who have suffered pregnancy or baby loss, and to buy memory-making equipment along with tea, coffee and essential items like toiletries.

Roslyn, who lives in Paisley, has completed several half-marathons after taking up running around eight years ago as a way of fitting in physical activity around her demanding shift pattern.

But the Ultra X Scotland event will be her biggest challenge yet.

The 34-year-old said: “It’s the furthest distance I’ve ever run by a long way.

“I took up running about eight years ago as it’s something I can do around my job and shifts and since then I’ve taken part in a few halfmarathons, but never a marathon or ultra marathon.

“I’ve been so well supported by my colleagues at the RAH and I know they’re all behind me.”

The ultra marathon will see Roslyn, who has been a midwife for 13 years and has spent 12 of them at the Paisley hospital, begin her trail race at Fort Augustus and go along the far side of Loch Ness, covering over 1,400m elevation.

She trains at Pack Performance in Paisley and will be joined by a group of 18 gym friends who are all raising money for various charities.

Roslyn has raised over £5,000 so far and explained how the money will go towards supporting bereaved families with plans to buy items including a new camera printer.

She said: “A lot of people don’t see it as being part of our jobs but pregnancy loss and stillbirth is sadly not as uncommon as you would think.

“Giving parents that time and the opportunity to make memories with their babies who they are not able to take home is massive.

“We have worked with the charity Simba to provide memory boxes, and we have other things we want to do for families.

“Often people arrive very suddenly so they don’t have items that they need with them. Our bereavement fund and room provides support when they need it, which we know can make a huge difference.”

The ultra marathon takes place on Sunday which is also International Day of the Midwife.

Laura Flynn, lead midwife for the Clyde sector of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Roslyn is an inspiration as she takes on one of her most difficult charges to date by taking part in the Ultra X Scotland ultra marathon.

“This is an amazing thing to do both physically and mentally, and the dedication she has shown is an achievement in itself.

“Her driving passion behind this is to raise money and awareness for the RAH Maternity Bereavement Fund, which helps care for families who have suffered pregnancy or baby loss. We wish Rosyln all the very best for her challenge.”

Those inspired by Roslyn’s challenge can celebrate International Day of the Midwife by taking part in a local parkrun today or next weekend to celebrate International Nurses Day.

Roslyn’s fundraising page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/ rah-maternity-bereavement-fund