A FATHER of a baby girl who died before she could be born is taken on an epic challenge that will take him across Wales in just six days.

Dan Stevens, an outdoor instructor, will travel the length of Wales by foot, from Conwy to Cardiff, to support Ty Gobaith.

In May 2020 Dan and his wife Kate, from Aberdovey, were preparing to welcome their new baby Maddie into their family.

At 28 weeks into her pregnancy Kate visited her midwife for a routine check. During the appointment, Kate was told the devastating news that no heartbeat could be found.

"Those words still resonate in my chest now,” said Kate.

“We were an agonising one-hour drive to our local hospital, where our worst fears were confirmed, our precious baby Maddie was dead before she had even been born.”

Kate was on her own due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time. After finding out the devastating news she found Dan, who was waiting anxiously in the car park, to tell him.

Dan and Kate Stevens with the poster for the Great Welsh Challenge to raise money in memory of their dughter Maddie. Picture: Doris OKeefe

Dan and Kate Stevens with the poster for the Great Welsh Challenge to raise money in memory of their dughter Maddie. Picture: Doris O'Keefe

“I broke down in tears in the car park,” said Dan. “We were allowed into the maternity unit together after that, but everything was numb.”

Kate gave birth to Maddie some hours later, knowing they would not be taking their baby girl home.

“The pain was horrendous, but it wasn’t the physical pain, it was the fact there was no cry,” said Kate.

“There was no life in our beautiful princess.

“We could hear a baby’s cry on the ward, but it wasn’t our baby.”

Kate and Dan were put in touch with Tŷ Gobaith and their team of counsellors.

They started having weekly sessions and found them a comfort.

“The support we received from the counsellors was incredible,” said Dan.

“Due to the pandemic the sessions have been carried out virtually over video calls, but we have both hugely benefitted from the ability to speak to professionals who have helped us to keep going through something we can never have imagined would happen to us.”

To say thank you for the support they have received, Dan has set himself a mission travelling the length of Wales by foot.

This August he and a team of friends and family members will attempt to get from Conwy to Cardiff, some 200 miles, in just six days.

“It’s going to be mentally and physically draining, there’s no doubt about that,” said Dan.

“But it will also be a lot of fun and we will be driven on knowing it will help support such an important cause.

“We have already raised more than £6,500 which is incredible, but we would like to raise as much as we can.”

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/LegIt1