A Collier Row woman will be taking part in a 25 km walk for charity after losing her son to a stillbirth four years ago.

Romford Recorder: Zoe Fitzgerald will be doing a 25km charity trek across 16 bridges in London to raise money for SANDS a charity that helps mothers recover after a stillborn birth.Zoe Fitzgerald will be doing a 25km charity trek across 16 bridges in London to raise money for SANDS a charity that helps mothers recover after a stillborn birth. (Image: Archant)

Zoe Fitzgerald, 29, from Frinton road will be taking on a Bridge Trek Challenge that involves walking across 16 bridges in London on September 8 in order to raise awareness and funds for Stillbirth and Neonatal Death (Sands) charity.

She gave birth to her son Teddy on December 28, 2014 at 38 weeks, not knowing she was pregnant.

“I carried him to 38 weeks where then I developed pre-eclampsia and a whole body infection,” Zoe said.

“I was rushed to hospital on Boxing Day with what we thought was a water infection, not knowing I was in labour.

“I was sent home with antibiotics, then I collapsed at home. I was rushed in again to give birth to Teddy in the hospital toilets but unknown to anyone I was moments from my death.”

Zoe’s white blood count had rocketed as her whole body was going into a state of shock.

She added: “I was rushed into intensive care where from that moment it was all a blur and still to this day I can’t remember much because of being in shock, but all I remember was his gorgeous little face and that memory will stay with me for a life time.

“As the days and years pass Teddy will always and forever be in my heart and I think speaking out about this is a massive relief and can be a help to other families who have been through the same pain.”

Zoe will be raising money for Sands, a charity that provides vital support for anyone affected by the death of a baby and aims to improve the care bereaved parents receve from health care while reducing the number of babies who die by funding research.

She told the Recorder: “I suffered quite a hard time back in 2014 and didn’t really know who to turn to.

“When I was in the hospital, a lady recommended Sands, and they helped me through it and gave me all the support I needed.”

To support Zoe visit her justgiving page.