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A young woman who lost her mother to sepsis is taking on the Cardiff Half Marathon this autumn to raise money for charity.

Shortly before the Covid pandemic, Lauren Morgan and her mum Gemma Morgan started a weight-loss journey together.

However during the pandemic, Gemma – a teacher at Blackwood Comprehensive School – became ill.

Lauren said: “At the end of July 2020, Mum started feeling unwell. She was a very proud lady, never wanting to ask for help as she didn’t want to bother anyone unnecessarily. It was only after advice from 111 we realised this was a lot more serious and she was transferred to hospital.”

Gemma was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, where doctors discovered she was experiencing septic shock.

Lauren continued: “She went in on Sunday August 2 and the next day was the last time I ever spoke to her.

“She was having blood transfusions but wasn’t doing well. On the Tuesday she was put into an induced coma and my dad was called to come in.

“I hadn’t heard anything and had a feeling something wasn’t right, so I asked my neighbour to keep an eye on my younger brother and sister and went to pick up my grandma, who was in our bubble, and drove to the hospital.

“There, a consultant sat us down and said there wasn’t anything else they could do. Mum passed away at 7pm on August 4, 2020, with me, my dad and her mum beside her. She was only 46.”

Describing her mother, Lauren, now aged 24, said: “Mum was the type of person who would always be there for others and never put herself first. She did a lot for children in school.

“We told close friends and relatives what had happened but when I announced her death on her Facebook page, the amount of people who commented and shared from even 20 years ago was astonishing.

“People messaged to say she was an amazing teacher and the heart of the school. She had a great relationship with everyone.”

‘She’s still always with me’

Five years on from Gemma’s passing, Lauren said: “I’m so proud with how my brother, sister and dad have been – they’re all warriors and have done amazing over these last few years.”

Having continued with her weight-loss journey, Lauren has now lost eight stone, and has since met her partner, Christian, and had two children of her own.

“These are milestones my beautiful mum was not here to see but I know that she’s still always with me,” explained Lauren, who is preparing to run on Sunday October 5 to raise money for UK Sepsis Trust.

“Mum would be laughing at me now, as I’m a complete beginner when it comes to running and exercise,” said Lauren.

“When I saw the Cardiff Half Marathon would be five years since mum passed away, I thought it would be a fantastic thing to do in her memory. Five years ago I couldn’t walk up the stairs without getting out of breath.”

Lauren will be running with her mother’s ashes in her necklace: “I know she’ll be with me every step of the way – from training to crossing the finish line. Mum’s in my heart all the time and I want to dedicate this all to her.”

Raising awareness

Lauren is hoping to raise more awareness of sepsis and help people spot the signs.

“When mum was unwell we never suspected it could be sepsis,” Lauren said. “She was very confused and drowsy and was shivering like she was freezing but was so hot to touch.

“Sepsis moves very quickly. It can kill and ruin families – we’re a reality of that, so I’m hoping that, by fundraising for the UK Sepsis Trust, more can be done to help save lives.”

Matt Newman, chief executive of race organisers Run 4 Wales, said: “It’s devastating to hear of the impact sepsis has had on Lauren and her family, but what an incredible challenge she is doing in her mother’s memory.

“We’ve no doubt that Gemma would be extremely proud of her daughter and everything she has achieved and we wish Lauren the best of luck for race day as she takes on her first half marathon in Cardiff.”

Visit Lauren’s online fundraising page to make a donation to her cause.