Leicester Hospitals Charity is rallying behind an extraordinary and deeply personal fundraising challenge undertaken by devoted father Jordan Black. In a poignant act of remembrance, Jordan is preparing to run a staggering 108-mile route, retracing the journey his daughter Aurora made through three major hospitals during her tragically short life. This remarkable endeavour transforms a family's profound loss into a powerful symbol of hope and support for others.
A Father's Tribute: From Grief to Action
Jordan Black, aged 37, will embark on his emotional pilgrimage from Friday, January 30 to Saturday, January 31. His run is meticulously planned to mirror the path Aurora travelled as medical teams across the Midlands worked tirelessly to diagnose and treat her rare abdominal tumour in late 2020. The challenge begins at the Leicester Royal Infirmary at midday, before continuing to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, then onward to Birmingham Children's Hospital, and finally concluding at a memorial close to his family home, just outside Coventry.
The Heartbreaking Journey of Aurora
The story behind this run is one of immense courage and love. At 38 weeks pregnant, Jordan's wife Kathleen sensed something was amiss and sought medical tests. A scan revealed a mass on Aurora's stomach, leading to urgent referrals to the foetal medicine team at Leicester Royal Infirmary. Aurora was born on November 24, 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, a time that added further complexity to an already distressing situation.
Following her birth, Jordan and Kathleen had only fleeting moments with their daughter before she was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for intensive investigations, including an MRI, ultrasound, and X-rays. Medical teams in Leicester and Nottingham worked to identify the mass, with a biopsy eventually revealing an extremely rare intra-abdominal pericytoma tumour. As Aurora's condition worsened, she was transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital on Christmas Day. Despite every possible medical effort, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away peacefully in the arms of her parents on January 31, 2021.
Running as a Path to Healing and Advocacy
For Jordan, running has become a vital component of his healing process, a way to manage overwhelming grief and protect his mental health. He describes this specific challenge as an "emotional pilgrimage", a return to the hospitals where his daughter received care. This year marks a significant step, as he feels ready to undertake the full 108-mile distance in one continuous effort, having previously completed the accumulated mileage over a month.
Jordan now openly shares his journey through his Instagram page, It's Why I Run, using his platform to encourage others, particularly men, to speak honestly about trauma, loss, and emotional wellbeing. "Running has helped me through the darkest moments of grief," Jordan explains. "If sharing my story can help even one other person feel less alone, then it's worth every mile."
Raising Vital Funds and Awareness
Supported by friends, a running coach, and a growing online community, Jordan hopes his run will raise both awareness and crucial funds for several vital causes. The beneficiaries include:
- The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Leicester Hospitals
- The NICU at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham
- Birmingham Children's Hospital
- The Lily Mae Foundation
- Hallie's Hideaway
"This run is my way of honouring Aurora and retracing the journey she took in her short but meaningful life," Jordan said. "It's emotional, of course, but it's also a reminder of the love, care and dedication shown by the teams who tried everything for her."
Charity Support and Community Solidarity
Sunita Patel, head of charity at Leicester Hospitals Charity, expressed profound admiration for Jordan's strength. "Jordan's story is incredibly moving, and his strength in turning unimaginable loss into something that inspires and supports others is remarkable," she stated. "We are honoured that he is choosing to begin this journey at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where Aurora's story began, and that our NICU department will receive a share of the fundraising to benefit other patients in a similar situation as Jordan and his family."
The Leicester Hospitals Charity team will be present at the start line to offer a small send-off and cheer Jordan on as he begins this monumental physical and emotional challenge. The charity is deeply grateful for his commitment to helping other families and raising awareness about the exceptional work carried out by NHS staff across the region.
How to Show Support for the Challenge
Members of the public wishing to support Jordan's fundraising efforts can do so by visiting his dedicated social media page, It's Why I Run, where donations can be made and live updates on his progress throughout the challenge will be shared. This powerful act of remembrance stands as a testament to a father's love and the enduring impact of community support in the face of tragedy.
