Running through grief: Why Hannah decided to raise funds for WAY

February 2026

After losing her husband suddenly at 35, Hannah found reassurance, understanding and friendship through WAY Widowed and Young’s support network. She is now raising funds by running the Bath Half Marathon on 15 March to give back to the charity that helped her navigate grief. Here’s her story…

“My husband passed away very suddenly in August 2024, sadly on our son’s seventh birthday. He had coronary artery atheroma, which caused him to have an acute myocardial ischaemia. I performed CPR on him until paramedics arrived and they worked so hard for over an hour to save him, but they couldn’t. He had absolutely no symptoms at all before he collapsed at home. He was 37.

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To say our world fell apart is a huge understatement. Nothing prepares you for something like that. We were together for 12 years, married for eight of those, and they were full of joy, laughter and love. I always try to be grateful for the time we did get together.

When you are bereaved of someone that your entire world revolves around, it literally feels like all stability in your life is gone and I found that my mind went to some really strange and frightening places. I had some quite scary thoughts and unusual reactions to things.

I never expected to be on this journey and, although I had family and friends supporting me, WAY Widowed and Young gave me the opportunity to speak to people who understand these things and can reassure you that you aren’t losing your mind.

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I remember having an absolute emotional meltdown the first time I changed the bed sheets after Steve died. I think it was just the thought that these were the last sheets he would ever have slept in and by washing them, I was washing him away somehow. I didn’t even know why I was so upset about it – ironically, Steve loved fresh bed sheets!

So I reached out to other WAY members. They helped me understand that the little things would feel like very big things for a long time and to just ride it out and feel what I needed to feel in that moment. I felt so comforted and reassured.

The weekly Zoom calls for new members were also really helpful, particularly in the early days. I think I joined my first one just two weeks after Steve died and was still in a very delicate state. There was no pressure for me to talk, but the support from the other widows on the call was overwhelming. When a little further down the line I did feel ready to speak, they were able to offer such kind words and really helpful advice if I had questions. 

When you’re going through the early days of grief, it really feels like you’re the only person in the world who is going through this. Although every person’s grief journey is individual, it really helped to know that there were other people out there going through the same things, and specifically people who were further along in the journey.

Not only this, but they also provide support with access to services like a bereavement counselling support line, which is really helpful. I am so glad that I joined WAY. It really did make an impossible situation a little bit easier.

Finding motivation

I ran my first half marathon last year – the Bristol Half – to raise money for WAY’s partner charity, Winston’s Wish, which helped my children with their grief. Running has been instrumental in helping me through my grief, so this year I wanted to raise funds for a charity that has also played a huge part in helping me navigate this journey.

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Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to get out when the weather is rubbish for my training for the Bath Half Marathon on 15 March. But I just try to remind myself why I am training and how much it helps my body and my mind. As hard as it is to push myself out that door, I always feel so good afterwards.

The only way I could have got through the past 17 months is because of the overwhelming support I received from my family and friends. They all really showed up for me and my children and I am so grateful to have them.

I have even had people reach out who I haven’t been in touch with for a long time, such as people I went to school with, to offer their support and love. It meant the world to know that even people who were not an active part of our world felt my pain and held us in their thoughts.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated. I appreciate every single one of you.”