There’s a monster

There’s a monster out there. It lurks beneath the beds.

The beds of children.

Every fortnight it pounces, claiming its next two victims. 40 children a year to be precise.

It doesn’t care that picnics were planned for the next day, the cakes already been iced. 

It doesn’t care that the story book still has 3 pages left to read, will the goodie find her true love?

It doesn’t care the eight times table has been learnt, ready to show off to the teacher the next day, they’d be so proud. 

It doesn’t care there’s a family only walls away sleeping peacefully, unaware their world will be shattered when they wake.

It doesn’t care that futures are being planned, maybe they’re on track to become a doctor one day or sail a boat at sea, maybe they’re moving up a group in swimming lessons. 

It doesn’t even care that they’re only children. Beautiful innocent children.

Children who belong to this world, in their homes, with their families. Tucked up safe.

How dare they get taken from us, no warning, no sudden drama…just one quiet final breath. We didn’t see this coming, how could we, there was no warning.

That monster may not care about these children…But we do.

This monster goes by the name of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC).

It may feel undefeatable – after all it’s the 4th leading cause of deaths in under 5s yet many people, professionals included, don’t know about this silent tragedy. 

The monster may be quiet, silent perhaps. But we won’t be.

That monster may feel victorious.

But we stand to fight.

That monster may feel strong but let me tell you, nothing is stronger than a parent fighting for their child. For all the children.

For some it is too late. 

But I stand with SUDC UK proudly as an ambassador in any way I can to fight.

And this charity will do it, I’ve no doubt.

Through educating, through research, through sheer determination, and above all through a refusal to accept that these perfectly healthy children just die. 

We will stop this, we have to. 

Cause here’s the thing…Monsters are scarier in the dark. Less threatened. Less challenged.

So let’s take SUDC into the light…talk about it, learn about it, donate if you can.

And when the fight feels too big, think of them. Those children gone far too soon.

Let their legacy and love be our armor and prepare us to continue this battle. To win this battle.

No child should die without reason.

No child will die without reason.

⭐️this is an important one to me, please share or interact with the post and pop over to SUDC UK to help raise this crucial awareness ⭐️