A PLUCKY mother is taking on an epic 120-mile challenge to raise money and awareness for her son who was “born asleep” a day before he was due.

Joshua Decker would have turned seven next month if it were not for a tragic turn of fate which saw him arrive one day early with no heartbeat.

To commemorate her son, and thank everyone for their support, Joshua’s mother Rosie Decker is taking on a gruelling ‘sea to summit to sea’ challenge to raise money and awareness for Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS).

Rosie’s mammoth endeavour will see her paddleboard out of Abersoch for two to three miles before cycling to Cader Idris, hiking to the summit of the mountain, hiking back down, and then cycling back home to Mynytho all within a single day.

Rosie, who has a nine-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, said: “Joshua Decker was born asleep a day before he was due.

“I had a normal pregnancy, I went into labour the day before he was due, but there was no heartbeat when I got to the hospital. He weighed 7lb 8oz.

“That was seven years ago this July and I really want to do something for him.

“Thanks to the work of SANDS there is support for bereaved parents, midwifes and research into preventative care.

“In Josh’s memory I want to contribute to the work that they do.

“To help research reduce deaths but when nature decides otherwise I want every parent to have the help and support they need; to have their child’s hand and footprints; to know they are not alone.

“All monies raised will be split 50/50 between SANDS nationally and SANDS Gwynedd, who are local to me.

“They support the midwifery unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor where Josh was born.”

Fifteen babies die every day shortly before, during or after birth in the UK, a statistic that Rosie is “not comfortable with”.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what we as a family went through,” she added.

“When it happened, the midwives at Ysbyty Gwynedd were brilliant, we got to spend time with him away from the cry of a newborn baby.

“They helped arrange and attended the funeral.

“It’s when you leave the hospital and it’s after his funeral that you can feel very alone.

“Your life has changed, you’re supposed to be looking after a newborn baby instead there is just an emptiness. I think that is where SANDS come in.”

Rosie and her friend Bex Bodde will be taking on the challenge, possibly this Sunday, 10 June, depending on the weather.

Rosie’s fund-raising page has already collected over £1,000.