\n Chris Cooper and Kayleigh Maher, who have been together since 2018, were expecting Oakley Cooper on the 12 of July.\n<\/p>\n
\n Chris Cooper pictured here with his fianc\u00e9 Kayleigh Maher (Image: Supplied by Chris Cooper)\n<\/p>\n
\n But only a few days before then, Miss Maher felt something was wrong after not feeling her baby kick.\n<\/p>\n
\n The couple were admitted into the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on July 8 where doctors conducted a C-section on Miss Maher, after discovering their baby had died.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cooper said: “We spent time in the Meadow Suite, which allows families to spend time with their babies to say proper goodbyes, and we were really well looked after.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Oakley’s name is inscribed on Mr Cooper’s bike (Image: Chris Cooper)\n<\/p>\n
\n Baby Oakley’s memorial plaque in Colney Memorial Park (Image: Chris Cooper)\n<\/p>\n
\n Although the couple still do not know what caused baby Oakley’s death, Mr Cooper is taking on a massive cycling challenge to help him move through his grief.\n<\/p>\n
\n On July 5, three days before the anniversary of the loss of his son, he will be tackling a 100-mile cycling challenge, which will be followed by another one in August and another in September.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “Each challenge is represents a different part of our grief. July will be for remembering him, for marking a year of loving and missing him, and for carrying him with me every mile.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cooper took up cycling in 2023 (Image: John Rainbow)\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cooper will be completing three 100-mile challenges to raise money for the Meadow Suite at the NNUH (Image: Supplied by Chris Cooper)\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cooper added his fianc\u00e9 has been a pillar of strength for him over the last 10 months.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “Kayleigh has been fantastic through all of this, I feel as a couple we have been incredibly strong and I’m sure that has much more to do with her than me.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The money Mr Cooper raises will be donated towards the bereavement ward at the NNUH and used towards helping other families feel more comfortable during their time there.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Cooper began cycling in 2023 and has found a strong community among the Brewery Tap Cycle Club, which he joined last year, who have been “a fantastic support” to him.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “The more money we raise means the more we can spend on the Meadow Suite and the more families we can help.”\n<\/p>\n