I run for my LOST BABIES

For years, she feared she’d never become a mother – now, she’s running marathons with her much-loved daughter and supporting others who’ve lost pregnancies

- SARAH WHITELEY, JADE BEECROFT

Crossing the finishing line of the London Landmarks half-marathon, Pippa Walls sought out her daughter Imogen among their fellow finishers. It was a particularly emotional moment for the mum-of-two. Not only had she and her 22-year-old daughter achieved an incredible feat together, but they'd raised £1,200 for Tommy's, the baby-loss charity - something that meant a great deal to Pippa.

'For a long time, I thought I'd never have children,' Pippa, 59, from Melrose, in the Scottish Borders, explains. 'I had three miscarriages and three failed attempts at IVF before I finally gave birth to Imogen, then another miscarriage before my second daughter Felicity. It was heartbreaking and now I want to support others who are in a similar situation.' Pippa had always imagined she'd find a job, get married and have children one day.

That plan was on track when she met Hamish, then 21, at Newcastle University in 1983, and they married in April 1990. After becoming head of marketing and communications for a life insurance company, the next natural step was to start a family.

In summer 1992, Pippa fell pregnant. She and Hamish, now 61, couldn't have been more excited. But at 12 weeks she had a miscarriage.

'It was devastating but doctors told me these things happen and we could try again, Pippa remembers. 'I hadn't told anyone so I plastered on a smile and carried on.

Within months, Pippa had fallen pregnant for a second time, but again she lost her unborn baby.

Then it happened a third time. 'This time, at 14 weeks, the couldn't find sonographer a heartbeat,' Pippa says. 'It was crushing. By now, the doctors were starting to take it more seriously.