Welshpool runners raise funds for breastfeeding support

Katie and Beth are both part of the project, which they say is a “much needed group”. The pair both took part in the half marathon on Sunday, September 8.

They said: “The Welshpool Breastfeeding Project provides a vital network of support to families within Welshpool and the surrounding areas. Being a rural area we can’t stress enough the importance that groups like this continue to be able to offer support to those who would have been isolated and lonely.”

The fundraising target the two women set themselves was £400, but they managed to far surpass it, raising a total of £545.

Katie Scrimshaw, who set up the online fundraiser, said: “Breastfeeding is one thing I never even thought about when I became pregnant. I didn’t expect it to be challenging, painful and an epic emotional rollercoaster.

“Both Beth and I were signposted to the Welshpool Breastfeeding Support Project where we met Ruth and Laura. They provide a safe environment for parents to meet and provide support and encouragement to help ladies continue to breastfeed.

“Without the information from the team and all the wonderful ladies I have met at the group I would have stopped breastfeeding long ago.

“As part of their support Ruth and Laura provide a drop-in service, offer to meet ladies when they are struggling, loan out books, run a facebook and messenger page and provide their phone numbers to offer 24/7 assistance.

“Beth has been attending since her son was two weeks old and she is now still breastfeeding at five months. I am still breastfeeding four months in.”

Welshpool Breastfeeding Support Project is located at Gungrog School and runs from 10am until 12pm on Fridays.

The online fundraising page is still open for donations if you’d like to donate, search for ‘Weʼre raising £400 to help support families with their breast feeding journeys’ on JustGiving.

The Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon first took place in 1988 and now takes place every September.