A father has completed his series of nine fundraising challenges for his daughter who died hours after she was born.

Ross Coniam, 36, said him and his wife Naomi went through “one of the worst things” in May 2018 when he lost his new-born daughter Norah in a neonatal death just nine hours after she was born.

Since the death, Mr Coniam took part in ‘#Nine4Norah’ a fundraising campaign in which he competed in nine challenges and raised a total of over £55,000 which was split between stillbirth and miscarriage charities including: Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS), 4Louis, Iolanthe Midwifery Trust and Keech Hospice.

The fundraising campaign finished on October 5 with a 20 mile walk from the Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge, joined by his wife and their now 8-week-old son Ernie.

He was awarded with a Heart FM award on September 29 for in recognition for his work after Norah’s death, and is now nominated for a Pride of Britain Award which the ceremony will take place on October 28.

Watford Observer:

The father received a Heart FM hero award. (Picture: Ross Coniam)

When talking about his future plans after completing the challenges, Mr Comian said: “I want to see what I can do to help others out. During the time I noticed there is no support for dads and I’m considering to put together a dad network locally.

“I felt there was nowhere to go, I didn’t have support when Norah died. There are family groups to deal with these kinds of issues, but there isn’t something specifically for the men in the family. My idea is to get a group of men to allow them to talk and be more open of their emotions.

“In general, I feel women can talk a lot more, but for men there is not enough outlet. It’s one of the worst things to go through in life. Luckily my wife and I were quite strong even though things like this can put pressure on relationships.”

The campaigns caught the attention of TV presenter Jake Humphrey who spotted Mr Coniam wearing a #Nine4Norah jumper at the 2018 FA Cup Final where Watford took on Wolves, which helped spike the total amount of donations made.

Watford Observer:

Ross with his daughter Norah. (Picture: Ross Coniam)

To start off the campaign, the father competed in a half marathon in March; a Virgin London Marathon in April; an Isle of Wight 106km Ultra challenge in May; Endure 24 and a London to Brighton bike ride in June; a 135 mile walk in six days in July; 24 hours National Three Peaks journey in August, and a walk the length of the River Thames split across September and October.

Mr Coniam hopes to revisit taking part in the Great North Run in 2020, which was intended to be one of the #Nine4Norah challenges before he became injured.

While his son Ernie is still young, he has already had trips with Ernie to Norah’s grave and intends to tell him about his sister, as Mr Coniam says, “our daughter is still our daughter.”

To anyone suffering with the death of a child, he suggested: “People need to know there are people out there that can help – use that outlet, get things off your chest and talk about it. It makes the pain easier."