BUS driver Amy Howells was inspired to organise a danceathon fundraiser for a neonatal death charity after seeing friends suffer the heartache of miscarriage.

She said: “A lot of my close friends who took part in this event have unfortunately lost babies, and although it’s something that you never want to happen, they were glad that Sands was there to support them.

“What Sands does is amazing for parents and people who have suffered in silence. It helps them remember the babies they lost and reach out to others who are going through similar things.”

“I work on the buses and lot of the drivers have lost children but never talk about it or are unsure who they can talk to.

“It’s a sensitive subject that’s difficult to discuss but it doesn’t get talked about enough.

“This event will raise money, but also raise awareness of the issue and I’m hoping it points people who need help in the charity’s direction.

“My friends didn’t expect me to organise this but when they found out what I was doing, they were over the moon.”

Amy plans to walk 106km around the Isle of Wight, 100km from London to Brighton, 100km along the Jurassic coast, and 100km along the south coast of the UK, all in a matter of months.

She’s already completed a 50km route through the Chilterns and is aiming to boost her fundraising total up to £2,500.

She added: “I’d been to many danceathons and wanted to make it part of my fundraising thing.

“Everybody takes it at their own pace, it’s three hours with breaks, and we had a cake sale to help them refuel and stock up on sugars to keep them going.

“A lot of people respond well to it, it’s fun and not too strenuous, you can make it as difficult or as easy as you want and it brightens you up, you get a good work out and support a good cause.

“I enjoy Zumba classes and things like that, so if someone like me can do this, anyone can.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-howells4

Sands provides support for bereaved parents of stillborn babies and those that die shortly after birth. It also funds research to reduce the number of deaths.