Marathon effort in tribute to beloved wife and son

A man whose wife and baby son died within a fortnight of each other is running the London Marathon in their memory, to raise money for charity.

Ben Jelley's wife, Charlotte, died from a pregnancy related blood clot after the death of their premature son, Arthur, in 2024.

The 37-year-old from Market Harborough, Leicestershire is raising money for Tommy's, which funds research into baby loss and pregnancy complications.

Jelley said he wanted to take part in the marathon to do something positive, so that his wife's death would not be in vain.

Charlotte Jelley, 32, died in her sleep in September 2024, within a fortnight of losing their premature baby son at 23 weeks.

Ben Jelley said: "Unfortunately we lost Arthur because of pre-eclampsia and sceptacaemia, so we had to terminate.

"Then the day after Arthur's funeral, unfortunately Charlotte died of a blood clot, which was related to pregnancy and unfortunately I found her at home," Jelley added.

The pair met in 2016. They had been married for two years and already had a daughter, Elsa, who was two years old when her mother died.

Jelley remembers his wife as "just magic". He said she was an "amazing mum" and "absolutely gorgeous".

Training is underway for the 26.2 mile course on 26 April. Jelley will be running the London Marathon with family friend Emily Mayhew. He is focused on completing the challenge, rather than the time.

"As long as they're not packing it away when I get over the line, I'll be fine.

"I hear people say, if you're doing it for a cause, that carries you and then there's the atmosphere on the day.

"Fingers crossed. If not, I'll just get an Uber, so it'll be fine," he laughed.

Jelley and Mayhew aim to raise £10,000 for Tommy's, which said half of UK adults have experienced baby loss or know someone who has.

Tommy's Deputy Director of Public Fundraising, Pamela Chowdhury said the charity was grateful to supporters like Jelley, particularly given the circumstances.

Chowdhury added: "The fundraising will help support research in our centres that find the causes and the treatment for baby loss and other pregnancy related complications."

Donations also help to fund the charity's midwife-led helpline which provides support with any aspect of baby loss, she added.

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