A Monmouthshire father who built a global community of over 700,000 parents is preparing to take on his most personal challenge yet.

Tom Piccirilli, the Devauden-based founder of the popular parenting platform The Dad Vibes, has announced he will run the 2026 TCS London Marathon in memory of his daughter, Noa.

What began as a journey of healing for the local dad-of-two has transformed into a mission to break the silence around pregnancy loss, as he prepares to swap the quiet trails of the Wye Valley for the 26.2mile roar of the capital’s streets.

Running 26.2 miles is a feat Tom admits he “never dreamed” of attempting just a few years ago. His motivation stems from a deeply personal journey of love and loss. In April 2021, Tom and his wife Laura faced the unimaginable when their daughter, Noa, was born sleeping at five months.

“Life is very much ‘before’ and ‘after’ that moment,” says Tom. “Noa didn’t get a chance at life, so we make sure we shout about her and the positive impact she continues to have on us. She pushes us to try new things and to talk openly about our experiences to help others walking a similar path.”

The Piccirilli family’s road to parenthood has been marked by both heartbreak and hope. Having experienced multiple miscarriages alongside the loss of Noa, Tom has used his platform, The Dad Vibes, to break the silence surrounding pregnancy loss and the specific challenges faced by fathers. Today, Tom and Laura are proud parents to their son, Luca, and daughter, Mia.

Since Noa’s birth, Tom has transformed from a self-described "non-runner" into a dedicated athlete, completing two half-marathons and raising thousands of pounds for baby loss charities. The London Marathon represents his biggest physical challenge yet, but for Tom, the emotional significance outweighs the physical toll.

"Training around here is a stark contrast to what I’ll face in London," Tom says. "But every time I hit a tough mile on a local trail, I’m reminded of why I’m doing this. This isn’t just my journey; it’s a tribute from our family and our community to Noa. I’ve been blown away by the support from neighbours and local friends so far, and I hope to make our corner of Wales proud when I cross that finish line in April."

“I’ll be running 26.2 miles in Noa’s memory,” Tom says. “It’s heartbreaking to know parents are experiencing this loss every single minute. I hope that by sharing Noa’s story on the streets of London, I can show other grieving parents that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

All funds raised by Tom will go directly to the Miscarriage Association, a national charity providing support and information to anyone affected by pregnancy loss, while working to improve clinical care and workplace policies.

Supporters can follow Tom’s training journey via his Substack, The Dad Vibes, and contribute to his fundraising efforts through his official JustGiving page, ‘The dad vibes’.