At Zen Fundraising, we believe in the power of community, connection, and giving back. That’s why we’re proud to support James Ashforth on his incredible journey to raise funds for Tommy’s Charity - a cause that means so much to him and his wife.
James' story is one of resilience and remembrance. Over the past few years, James and his partner have experienced the heartbreaking loss of three babies during pregnancy, including their son Luca and daughter Lelia. Through their grief, they found solace in Tommy’s, a charity dedicated to funding research into pregnancy loss and providing support for families navigating unimaginable pain.
An extraordinary challenge for an extraordinary cause
To honour the memory of their children and support Tommy’s vital work, James is taking on a unique challenge, attempting to break the world record for the fastest half marathon and full marathon dressed as a three-dimensional bird.
Why a bird? For James (aka 'Run like a Robin'), robins remind him of the saying, "When robins appear, loved ones are near." Robins, especially those seen after a loss, are a sign that a loved one is watching over us or that their spirit is close by. After we caught up with James, there was a moving moment when he spotted a robin perched on a nearby fence.
But, James's journey is about so much more than breaking records; it’s about raising awareness and offering hope, ensuring that more families receive the support they need and deserve
The life-changing work of Tommy’s
Every penny raised for Tommy's goes towards changing the future of pregnancy and baby loss. Tommy's is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to pregnancy research, funding over £2 million worth of groundbreaking research each year to uncover the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.
Beyond research, they provide trusted resources, support services, and expert information to help families navigate pregnancy, loss, and planning for the future. When James and his wife felt like the only ones, the midwives on call provided support and empathy.
Through pioneering medical breakthroughs, digital pregnancy tools, or a compassionate space for parents to share their stories, Tommy’s is working to ensure that every baby has the best possible start in life.
Zen’s Commitment to Giving Back
For us, fundraising is all about the people. That’s why we’ve donated £500 to support James’ challenge and help Tommy’s continue its life-saving research.
This donation is part of our commitment to supporting both large and small charities, ensuring that vital causes get the attention and funding they need. Last year, we proudly donated to Tommy’s as part of our Give Back Friday campaign, alongside supporting mental health charity Arc Counselling and sponsoring the Under 11’s Axminster Football Team, ‘The Tigers.’
We’re dedicated to backing the causes that change lives.
Cheering James on!
James will be taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon and the London Marathon in 2025, and we couldn’t be prouder to support his journey.
We wish James all the luck as he takes on this record-breaking challenge - running like a Robin, for remembrance, resilience and hope.
If you’d like to support James, visit his JustGiving page and help make a difference.
Comments