A DAD has embarked on a gruelling 450-mile run in memory of his stillborn son — while carrying his headstone. Jordan Mulligan, 32, is doing the energy-sapping challenge to raise cash for tragic tots’ graves, nine years after losing his “beautiful” lad Jacob. 4 Jordan Mulligan is hoping to raise money for other tragic tots following the loss of his stillborn son 4 He plans to run from Inverness to Carlton, Nottinghamshire lugging the 25kg stone 4 The film maker was inspired by not being able to afford a headstone for his own son 4 He is currently five days and 170 miles into his marathon mission The film-maker — who is lugging the 25kg stone from Inverness to Nottinghamshire — told how the trek was inspired by the pain of being unable to afford a headstone for his son, born “sleeping” at 32 weeks.
Five days and 170 miles into the marathon mission, Jordan said: “It was very, very tough and it still is very fresh. Jacob was beautiful. “He had a full head of hair and I got to hold him.
“It was such a tough thing to have to deal with. “The worst part was not being able to see his eyes. I’d still do anything to see his eyes.
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But I always felt guilty he didn’t have a stone.” Bereaved parents of youngsters are helped with funeral costs but not for headstones. So Jordan and other loved ones set up the Jacob Mulligan Charity , to support heartbroken loved ones.
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“I was in the hospital and I was walking through the wards with a nurse. “I told her I was going to run as a way of honouring him. “She told me to give it time to process the grief and that when the time came, I’d know when it was right.
And close to nine years later, it hit me and I was ready.” The idea finally came to fruition after he found the stone for Jacob’s grave in Forres, Moray. He admitted: “It looked perfect.
I realised carrying it 450 miles might be impossible. “I found the nearest stonemason in Inverness , had it cut down to 55lb (around 25kg), and now I’m running 45 miles a day.” He set off from the Highlands last week.
And his biggest supporter is son Jude, seven. Jordan, of Carlton, Nottinghamshire, said: “His messages bring tears to my eyes but also keep me going.” Jordan also hopes to raise awareness of the mental toll of stillbirths on both parents .
Read more on the Scottish Sun 'ENTITLED' 'Just go away' say NC500 locals as they blast campervan driver's parking WARM UP Scotland heats up in 21C sunshine this week as experts reveal summer update He said: “I felt so alone. I put a lot of that down to being a man. Fathers just bury their emotions and try to carry on.
“Mothers go through such a tragic time but I do think there’s more support, even if it’s not enough. I don’t think men are thought of as much.”.
