A bus company boss is preparing to take on the Great South Run alongside his teenage son, 18 years after losing his baby daughter, in a moving tribute to her memory.
Joel Mitchell, Managing Director of Stagecoach South East, will join thousands of runners in Portsmouth on Sunday 18 October, raising money for Eastbourne-based charity Muma Nurture, which supports families affected by pregnancy and baby loss.
For the 50-year-old, the event holds a deeply personal significance.
Eighteen years ago, Joel and his family experienced the heartbreak of losing his daughter Maisie, who was stillborn.
Struggling to come to terms with the loss, Joel turned to running as a way of processing his grief and completed the Great South Run that same year.
Now, almost two decades later, he is returning to the event, but this time he won't be running alone.
Joining him will be his 17-year-old son Jasper, who was born after Maisie's death.
It will be the first time the father and son have taken part in a running event together, making the occasion particularly special for the family.
The pair hope their efforts will not only honour Maisie's memory but also raise awareness of the devastating impact that miscarriage, stillbirth and baby loss can have on families.
Despite the passage of time, Maisie's loss continues to shape Joel's life, and he hopes sharing his family's experience will encourage others to speak more openly about pregnancy and baby loss.
The father and son have chosen to support Muma Nurture, an Eastbourne-based charity which provides support to people experiencing difficulties relating to pregnancy, fertility and baby loss.
The money raised will help support the charity's work with individuals and families facing some of the most challenging experiences of their lives.
While the reason behind the run is deeply emotional, Joel has managed to find some humour in the preparations.
At 50, he admits his training is "going badly", particularly compared with Jasper, who is considerably fitter than his dad.
But for Joel, completing the course isn't about setting a personal best or beating his son to the finish line.
It's about remembering Maisie, sharing an important experience with Jasper and helping other families who have experienced similar heartbreak.
As the pair prepare to cross the start line in Portsmouth on Sunday, the occasion will bring Joel's running journey full circle, 18 years after he first took on the event while grieving for his daughter.
This time, he'll have Jasper by his side, with Maisie's memory at the heart of every mile.
LISTEN: Joel speaks to V2 Radio's News Editor Philip Keeler about how he dealt with baby loss and how the Great South Run helped to change his life.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, support is available. Samaritans offers free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 116 123 from any phone, or visit www.samaritans.org for further information and support. You don't have to face difficult times alone.
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