Members of fitness gyms in Henleaze and Westbury-on-Trym are raising funds in memory of two-year-old Amber Townson, who died in her sleep last year.
Amber’s mum Tara, a coach and member at Crossfit Henleaze and Crossfit Trym, is setting up a foundation that she hopes will help other grieving families and fund research that will lead to the prevention of sudden death in childhood (SUDC).
About 160 members of the two centres took part in a global fitness challenge in March that brought in £4,500 for the Amber Townson Foundation.
Adam Turpin, who opened the Henleaze gym in 2022 and the Westbury one last year, said: “It was an incredible three weeks. We had record numbers of members take part in the CrossFit Open this year to support Amber’s family and raise much needed funds for bereaved families and life-saving research. We’ll make this an annual event and plan to do lots more fundraising challenges over the year to support the Foundation and its valuable work.”
Tara said: “We need a better understanding of SUDC so that one day it can be predictable and preventable.
“Awareness is growing, and positive progress is being made. In March, MPs, senior medical professionals, and the charity SUDC UK, attended a parliamentary reception in Westminster to discuss this important issue.
“Things are moving in the right direction and with the right backing and research nationally, we hope to help save children’s lives and honour our beautiful daughter Amber.”
Amber was a beautiful, happy, and funny little girl and her family still don’t know why she died. SUDC remains the fourth leading cause of death for children aged one to four. It affects more than one child every fortnight and leaves families bereaved, without warning or explanation.
To contribute to the Amber Townson Foundation, visit https://tinyurl.com/mwr5u4yp