The "Paddle For Preemies" challenge we are undertaking is a 200 KM paddle from the source of the Thames in the Cotswolds to Windsor. We will be Stand Up Paddle Boarding between 35 and 50 KM per day and this includes a 20 KM walk carrying our boards.

We have set this up to raise awareness and money for two groups who have been hugely significant to us following Freya's premature arrival. The following is an overview of what has led to the starting of the "Paddle for Preemies" challenge.

Now a year old, Freya has started crawling, enjoys playing with her friends at nursery and is a cheeky little monster! We are, however, keenly aware that things could have turned out very differently, as Freya was born at just 28 weeks after Steph developed a life-threatening pregnancy complication.

The a-bridged version of events that followed is described below and was one of the most intense and terrifying experiences you could ever have, yet in time has proven to be one of the most incredible all at the same time. The thing that we will forever be thankful for is the professionalism and efficiency of the specialist Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Physios, Nursery Nurses and Healthcare Assistants that we were privileged enough to meet during this time. It is because of these teams that we have our little family and they are the reasons we are undertaking this challenge.

At 27 weeks and six days into pregnancy, Steph suddenly experienced severe bleeding. This was to be the start of a scary and sometimes frustrating week as we waited to see whether symptoms would settle enough to be allowed home or whether things would escalate further. Unfortunately after six days in hospital Steph's health took a dramatic turn for the worse as she developed severe pre-eclampsia. The consultant on duty that night decided to deliver baby Freya immediately by emergency caesarean section. Luckily Dan was at the hospital throughout to hold Stephs hand.

Unfortunately Steph was also diagnosed with a condition called HELLP syndrome, usually considered to be a variant of pre-eclampsia. The symptoms of HELLP are sometimes mistaken for gastritis, flu, acute hepatitis, gall bladder disease, or other conditions. It can cause the liver and kidneys to fail and, tragically, up to 25 per cent of women who develop HELLP lose their lives. As a result she was unable to leave high dependency to see Freya for more than 24 hours.

It is because of these events that we are wanting to raise money for these organisations . Action Medical Research support numerous research projects called Saving Tiny Lives which are focused around better understanding Premature birth and the causes and treatment of mothers and babies affected by early arrival.

For Wexham Park Special Care Baby unit we would like to raise money to buy new beds for the parent rooms - where parents can stay for a few nights to establish night time feeding and prepare to take their tiny ones home. We ended up "rooming in" for two weeks (which must be close to a record!) due to Freya developing complications before she came home so know first hand how welcome some comfy new beds will be for exhausted new parents!