The Made in Chelsea star explained why he’s trying to get money for a million therapy sessions and what his daughter wants from her.
When Joshua Patterson’s godson tragically died at just three months old, he “hit rock bottom”. The Made in Chelsea star has opened up about that difficult time in his life and why breaking a world record helped him – and hopefully many others – get back on track.
Last year, Joshua’s friends, Emily and George, had a baby boy called Archie. Three months later, Archie had died from SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome. “I hit rock bottom,” he told the Mirror. “I was at one of the lowest points I’ve been, I think, in life.”
Joshua and Emily, George, and the many other families who regret losing children to SIDS, had a very difficult time losing Archie when he was so young. Archie leaving at the right age is unforgivable, he said. He had a lot of life to lead. And it’s attempting to process that, in my opinion.
You must approach death in your own unique way, Joshua said. And how did he handle the death of Archie? By breaking a world record, he raised money for charities.
Joshua ran a marathon at the highest altitude ever on September 16 to break the previous record. He did it because it was physically exhausting, but he still managed to raise money for Emily and George’s baby loss club.
Any families that have lost children will be based there, like a central hub. And the goal of this challenge was to raise £35,000 to pay for 1, 000 therapy sessions for families who lost children.
“It was a monumental challenge that required us to face an even greater challenge.” I wanted to make sure that whenever I think of my godson, I look up and smile at him. We’ve done it together, in my opinion, so that we can look back on these moments with pure joy and happiness.
Without this cause, Joseph added, he might not have been able to complete the run because it was so physically difficult to do so, but also just to understand what an inspiration Archie can become and what a profound impact I believe he can have on so many families in this country.
And this is just the beginning. The ultimate goal of the Baby Loss Club is to fund a million therapy sessions for parents who have lost their children. A thousand already sounded like a lot, but as Joshua pointed out, they can go in a flash. According to the NHS, around 200 babies die unexpectedly and unexplained each year. So, in a single year, a thousand sessions may only provide five opportunities for each set of parents to unpack their grief.
Joshua’s record-breaking accomplishment is a truly extraordinary testament to strength, resilience, and love, according to Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving. In honor of Archie, to endure such extreme circumstances is a profoundly personal tribute as well as a powerful act of advocacy and awareness. The money he has raised will have a long-lasting impact on an issue that affects countless families. Joshua has inspired many and impacted SIDS by bringing important attention to SIDS by transforming grief into action. We extend our sincere congratulations to this remarkable achievement and to Archie’s legacy.
With just over £25.5k, Joshua’s fundraiser’s Just Giving page has raised 73% of its goal. When he was asked if he would ever go back to Made in Chelsea, even for an episode, to raise money over the goal line, he laughed and declined.
To be honest, it’s a completely different show altogether. And I believe the cast members are probably between 21 and 21 years old. I have an eight-year-old daughter and am 36 years old. So I feel like that much has happened in my life. I wish them all the best of luck. He continued, “I’m a celebrity SAS, and I’m not out of the running.”
Another motivation for Joshua to run the marathon is India, which he shares with Binky Felstead. He said, “I want her to know that life is difficult because it’s amazing, but it’s inevitable that you’re going to face adversity in life and don’t be overburdened by it.” I’ve seen firsthand how quickly life can be taken from someone or be changed, and how quickly it can change.
“I hope that I can leave that impression on her with the work that I’ve done,” she said. I already have no doubt about her progress and know that she will continue to achieve amazing things.
He continued to sneer at India’s commitment to performing and theater. Although it’s a little outside of Joshua’s athletic background, he wouldn’t want it any other way. Because I believe her character is developing in her own distinctive way, I don’t really push the things I love to. She enjoys dancing and music, and she is very theatrical. So I’m very interested to see what direction that will lead her.
Binky, India’s mother, is a fellow Made in Chelsea graduate. Although the two ended their relationship in 2018, they continue to co-parent peacefully. Joshua said, “Listen, your child is the most important thing in the world. It is more significant than anything else.
And so I’m happy as long as my daughter smiles and is content, right? Therefore, I believe that everyone is doing a fantastic job in that regard.
To donate to The Baby Loss Club’s therapy fundraiser, head to Joshua’s Just Giving page.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk
