A mum is braving the fifth anniversary of her baby being stillborn by running the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon tomorrow.

Emma Beck, 40, of Islington, is taking part in aid of pregnancy charity Tommy’s, which works to prevent miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

Her second child, Mary, was stillborn at 36 weeks.

But Emma fell pregnant again six months later. Daughter Edie arrived safely at Whittington Hospital in October 2011 to join brother Arthur, who was born in 2007.

The former TV producer said: “The pain and grief we [she and husband Tom] felt was all-consuming for a very long time. Edie’s pregnancy was torture: balancing grief and a lack of confidence in my body to bring our third child into the world. Her arrival was a ray of light and hope.

“I find it devastating that around 100 families a week in the UK experience the sadness and pain that we did. Yet as a society, we refuse to talk about death in pregnancy and the pain and grief it causes.

“I very much want to help people understand why babies like Mary die and to reduce the number of parents and siblings who have to experience such life-changing heartbreak.”

Of the race, she added: “It feels empowering to work so physically hard to honour Mary, and raise money for the wonderful work Tommy’s do.”

To sponsor Emma, visit http://bit.ly/1KBobZq