Rachel Lloyd, from Crawley in West Sussex, is taking on 30 endurance events during her 30th year to raise money for The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, a charity that supports those affected by ectopic pregnancies. Her efforts come after she personally experienced three ectopic pregnancies, a condition where a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, often leading to severe health complications and loss of pregnancy.
Running the Saucony Run Shoreditch Half
As part of her challenge, Rachel will join 10,000 other runners at the Saucony Run Shoreditch Half in London on Sunday, September 20. The event, which is sold out, will see participants running through the capital to support various causes. Rachel's participation highlights her commitment to raising awareness and funds for the charity.
Rachel's journey with ectopic pregnancies began in 2021, when she suffered her first. A second ectopic pregnancy followed a few months later, resulting in a rupture that required emergency surgery to remove her left fallopian tube. Despite these setbacks, she gave birth to her daughter Bella, now three, after a healthy pregnancy three months later.
A Third Ectopic Pregnancy and a Mission to Educate
In December 2024, Rachel faced a third ectopic pregnancy, discovering on Christmas Day that it was not viable. Reflecting on her experiences, she said, "I had no idea what it was at the time. Only through Google and a gut instinct did I realise something wasn't right with my first." She added, "Before all of this, I had never even heard of ectopic pregnancy. I didn’t know the signs. I didn’t know the risks. Now, I do and I want to make sure others do too."
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust provided vital support to Rachel during her own journey, which inspired her to give back. She emphasised the importance of the charity's work: "The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust’s work supports women and families going through some of the most frightening and isolating experiences imaginable. Every pound raised will help ensure no one has to face ectopic pregnancy alone or uninformed."
How to Support Rachel's Fundraiser
Rachel's fundraiser is part of her broader effort to complete 30 endurance events this year, each one a step towards helping others. Donations can be made through her fundraising page at https://ectopicpregnancytrust.enthuse.com/pf/rachel-lloyd. For those interested in participating in the 2027 race, registration interest can be expressed at https://www.runshoreditch.com/. The event is currently sold out, but future opportunities are available.
