Last year we found out that we were expecting another baby. We were very excited to be having a sibling for little Flo, but at our 20 week scan we found out that baby Stanley had an extremely serious problem with his heart. The prognosis was very poor and we found ourselves in the impossible and devastating situation where we had to make a choice for our little boy and our family.

We received fantastic care from both the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and St Michael's Hospital, Bristol but also a little known charity ARC (Antenatal Results & Choices www.arc-uk.org) in the very hard times during our decision and after we said good bye to Stanley.


We would very much like to give something back in Stanley's memory and also to help any parents who find themselves in need of ARC or the Heartsease room at Exeter Hospital. With this in mind we are trying to raise some money by completing a climbing challenge where Mark and I are hoping to climb the height of Everest in 1 day on a climbing wall. The wall is 8m and Everest is 8848m which makes 553 times up the wall each! We may be there some time!!

Here is some information about what great work ARC do:

Our aim is to enable parents to make decisions throughout the screening process

As the only national charity to provide parents with much-needed, non-directive information and support throughout screening, our aim is to enable to make decisions during antenatal testing which are appropriate for their individual circumstances. ARC is here to give parents specialised support when an anomaly is diagnosed in their baby, for as long as we are needed.

ARC is the only national charity to provide information and support to parents who are:

•    Making decisions before, during and after antenatal screening
•    Told that their baby has a fetal anomaly
•    Having to make difficult decisions about continuing their pregnancy
•    Having to make difficult decisions about ending their pregnancy
•    Having to cope with complex and difficult issues after a decision is made, including bereavement

ARC also helps healthcare professionals to do their job better by providing:

•    In-house and regional tailored training courses
•    A range of literature
•    Telephone and email support for healthcare professionals
•    A healthcare professional membership scheme

ARC gives support to parents no matter what decision is made about the future of their pregnancy through:

•    A telephone and email Helpline
•    A National Support Network of trained volunteers
•    Information booklets for parents, their families and healthcare professionals
•    A website including online support through a password-protected, moderated Forum
•    Regular regional parents’ meetings
•    Regular ARC News newsletters

Due to the sensitivity around the choices and decisions about the future of a pregnancy, ARC find it difficult to raise money and awareness for the support they provide. Last year they were in deficit. We desperately want to help them with this, as they helped us at our lowest and loneliest times. Please, if you can, help us to reach our target.

We are very grateful for Paul at the Quay Climbing centre supporting us in our attempt...and we are asking if you could spare what you can to give to these very deserving causes. Also to raise awareness (and maybe some pennies!) please share and spread the word of our attempt to your friends, family and colleagues. Or come down and cheer us on the day (we will need plenty of encouragement), while enjoying a drink at the Quay cafe. We are also hoping to get a raffle organised as well.




Many thanks,
Cat, Mark and Flo x