A new year always comes with great resolutions. In 2012, I would like to do something challenging, in fact more difficult than anything I have ever done before, but above all something that would also make a difference for others. So here we go… After being challenged by friends for years, I have decided to run my first Marathon !!

I am registered for the London Marathon on April 22, 2012. But doing it without a cause would make no sense… so I am going to run for BLISS, a wonderful charity for babies born too soon, too small, too sick. http://www.bliss.org.uk/.

Why Bliss ? One in every nine babies is born premature or sick. I have had first-hand experience around me of babies struggling for weeks if not months, with parents in disarray with little to do to help their baby. So I feel personally attached to this cause.

The vital care that premature and sick babies receive after birth can have a profound impact on the rest of their lives. And for families struggling to cope with having a baby in special care, this will be one of the most difficult, emotional and stressful times of their lives.  Bliss is the only charity dedicated to improving both the survival and long term quality of life for babies born premature.

So you and I can make a difference together. Remember, there is no such thing as a small donation. For example, £24 will keep Bliss’ parent support helpline working for one hour, £60 will fund a neonatal nurse on a Bliss study day, £100 will provide training for a Parents 4 Parents volunteer. My goal is to find £3,000 for Bliss, enough to work with the local hospitals to improve their special care baby services and train a neonatal nurse in the developmental care approach.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.