In just over 2 weeks Jenny and I will be heading to Paris to run our first marathon! Our rigorous training schedule has transformed us temporarily into “serious” athletes and I am hoping to transfer my hard work into amazing results for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

This is cause that is currently very close to my heart, as will be the case for many people reading this. My wonderful friend Emma and her husband Ed have recently given birth to their first daughter Milly. Due to complications Milly is currently being cared for in the Neonatal Unit, which specialises in caring for babies who require more intensive care.

Birmingham Women’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides the highest level of specialist care to the sickest and smallest babies from across the West Midlands. In October 2010, the eagerly-awaited new NICU opened but although it is designed to be able to care for up to 50 babies, currently there are only staff and equipment for 34 to be cared for at any one time.

By donating your hard earned bucks to this charity you can help them to purchase further vital equipment and add numbers to the specialist staff they rely on so greatly. Incubators cost £20,000 but are essential in controlling the temperature and humidity for the baby. Ventilators cost £25,000 but breathe for a baby when their lungs are too weak or under-developed to breathe on their own. Another area they wish to expand is the Parental Accommodation Facility; many patients are born so early that they can spend several months on the unit and at such a worrying time for the parents, it is important that they can stay close by to bond and care for their babies. At present, there are 4 parental flats available for use but there is a real need for additional accommodation to meet the growing demand. 

The costs are great but the benefits are greater and your help can really make a difference. Please spare any sponsor money that you can to ensure that others receive the same amazing care that Milly has; care which will hopefully provide Milly, and other babies in her position with everything they could possibly need to ensure a healthy, strong and happy life.

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.