Former Rochdale footballer Joe Thomspon inviting people to join him on walk in memory of stillborn son and other 'angel babies'

An ex footballer who tragically lost his son 48 hours before his due date is inviting people to join him on a picturesque walk in his memory. Former Rochdale AFC footballer Joe Thompson, who twice battled back from cancer to play for his boyhood hometown club, and his wife Chantelle last year revealed the heartbreaking loss of their baby boy named Dre Phoenix.

in April Joe and Chantelle, who are parents to daughter Thailula Lily, revealed they are are expecting a 'natural miracle baby' due in August after years of IVF. Joe, who twice battled back from cancer to play for his boyhood hometown club Rochdale, said in May 2021 their son Dre's heart had stopped beating before he was born.

Joe and his family and their friends at Bespoke Health insurance specialists who he says are 'practically my family' are doing a sponsored 13.5km walk around Dove Stone and Chew reservoirs in Oldham tomorrow (Sunday July 3) at 10am for SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity). And he says anyone is welcome to join them in tribute to other 'angel babies' like Dre.

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"The walk is for a charity called SANDS and I'm sure not very many people will know what that charity is and the good work that they do and that's a good thing," says Joe in a heatfelt Instagram post. "But the harsh reality is that so many families like myself have tragically had stillborns."

He explained: "We lost our baby boy 48 hours before his due date and Sands us is a wonderful charity that reduces number of babies dying and provides crucial support to the families affected by such heartbreak. The support that it provided for me and my familiy dealing