On 2nd March 2015 at 15:08, two of my very good friend's lives were changed forever when they became proud parents of two very special babies.

The twins were born at 23 weeks and 5 days old, a whole 17 weeks early, and weighed less than a bag of sugar each. But thanks to the amazing work from the medical professionals in three different hospitals in the North East they have successfully managed to fight and defy all of the odds stacked against them so far.

Between them they have already amassed a list of operations that just one would challenge even the strongest of us, including heart surgery, but although the fights are still ongoing and at times it seems never ending they are both growing stronger day by day.

They both continue to surprise, amaze and inspire anyone who has so far had the pleasure of them being part of their life either directly or indirectly, and they will continue to do so!

As a result of this, I have decided that I will run the Sydney Half Marathon in 4 weeks time (16th May 2015) to raise money for the Tiny Lives charity based at the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary who have directly been involved in supporting the care offered to my friends and their babies, to help them and others in similar circumstances.

Only one thing left to do - Go #TeamMarsden!

• http://www.tinylives.org.uk/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/TinyLivesRVI
  
• https://www.justgiving.com/tinylives