Tommy’s 2012 Baby Races!

Tommy’s Baby Races gives families, friends and even your little ones the chance to actively help Tommy’s give more babies the best start in life.

Organized in partnership with the pre and post-natal fitness experts, Buggyfit, the Baby Races are a series of 8K events to run or power walk with your baby in the buggy. Now in its third year, the Tommy’s Baby Races will be taking place in even more UK locations from 1^st to 22^nd July. Locations include London, Aylesbury, Windsor, Cheltenham, Ruislip, Bedford, Northwich and Cambridge. Races will also be held in Cardiff and Glasgow in September.

Along with babies and buggies, hundreds of like-minded mums and dads – or other relatives who want to take part – can power walk or run the 8k courses. The routes all follow paths perfect for buggies in beautiful parks and each event begins with an aerobic warm-up, led by Buggyfit’s qualified instructors.

Kirsty McCabe, mum of one and BBC weather presenter (formerly GMTV/Daybreak) will be attending the Bluewater Baby Race and running with 18 month old son, Ethan. Kirsty says:
I’m absolutely thrilled to be attending the Tommy’s Baby Races this year. As a mother myself I can really appreciate the work that Tommy’s does to make sure more women have a happy and healthy pregnancy, and I can’t wait to show my support at the Bluewater race for such a fun and unique event! Not only is it a worthy cause and one close to my own heart, but a fantastic way to get the whole family together, outdoors and active for such a good cause. It should be a great day and I’m hoping for good weather!

Upon crossing the finish-line, each participant will be awarded a fun-packed goodie-bag which includes goodies from sponsors – Cow & Gate, Forever Friends and Jump – as well as other leading brands. With children’s entertainers to keep little ones happy, the event is something the whole family can enjoy. Prizes for top fundraisers include a term’s swimming lessons from Water Babies, a Mountain Buggy Terrain, and a week’s stay at Clydey Cottages from Baby Friendly Boltholes, plus first past the finish line with a buggy at each race will win a Buggysnuggle.

Tommy’s asks each participant to try and raise £50 sponsorship – enough to pay for one of its midwives to speak to and help up to 20 worried parents. If 200 runners were to raise this, the £10,000 raised would be enough to pay for a research assistant on one of the charity’s vital research projects.  Tommy’s is a national charity, funding much-needed medical research into pregnancy complications – such as stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature birth – and provides free information for all parents-to-be on pregnancy health.  Tommy’s PregnancyLine is a free telephone helpline staffed by midwives that anyone can call Monday-Friday, for anyone needing emotional counselling support after the loss of a baby or a pregnancy complication.

Jane Brewin, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, says: “The Baby Race is a wonderful and unique excuse to get the whole family out and about for a worthy cause. What is special about this event is its contribution from such a range of individuals, from tiny babies to dads and pregnant women.  We value each and every one of our supporters. It is their dedication, effort and enthusiasm that allows Tommy’s to continue to make progress in our research and continue to save thousands of babies’ lives.”

Registering for the Baby Race couldn’t be easier: just visit www.tommys.org/babyrace. Entry costs £14.50, which includes your T-shirt, goodie-bag and training plan. Once registered, participants will be directed to set up a fundraising page which can be sent on to family and friends to raise sponsorship money.

Those without buggy and baby, and pregnant women are also welcome to take part. Pregnant women will need to have a chat their GP or midwife, let them know the distance, whether they’re planning to run or power walk it, with or without a buggy and get their expert advice first.

Sign up today www.tommys.org/babyrace