Sophia Flanagan
Soph's Wee Scottish Adventure
Fundraising for Bliss
Story
Thankyou for taking time to visit my Just giving page. I am working in a team with my very lovely friend Kate, who has a separate Just Giving Page and raising funds for Myeloma UK, we have joined together as #TeamThelostGirls. You can choose which charity you would like to donate to but we would like to keep funds as equal as possible.
Honey and Ivy were born at 34 weeks (6 weeks premature) on the 10th August 2019. They spent the first 3 weeks of their life in Airedale Neonatal Unit...the longest 3 weeks of our lives.
Luckily for us, Honey and Ivy had a relatively short stay compared to some babies. They both mainly suffered with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed help with their feeding.
I couldn't hold our babies for a few days and when I could they were the smallest and most delicate little bundles of life we could imagine.
After 2 weeks, Honey came off her ventilator and Ivy needed a little bit longer. They then just had over a week of feeding before they could come home, taking them home is a feeling I'll never forget.
After living on the NICU for that period we saw and heard things that will stay with me forever. Many babies are in NICU for a lot longer than Honey and Ivy, and some babies don't ever get to come home.
We count our blessings every single day and I can't thank the staff at Airedale enough, they are my walking angels.
Ive wanted to do a fundraiser for such a long time for Bliss Charity and after much thought I have decided to ride the Scottish Coast to Coast on 5th June...so will no doubt be in full blown midge season.
237 miles over 6 days of traversing Scotland's legendary highlands from Ardnamurchan in the West to Aberdeen in the East.
The pioneering route covers 400km and an awesome 7200m of ascent and descent. This ride is classed as the 'Ultimate Coast to Coast mountain bike ride in the UK' and I am going to take in some of the best trails in Scotland. I'll enjoy (if I can find it) riding down Mount Keen, the most easterly Munro, through wild heather-clad landscapes on natural singletrack in my favourite place - The Cairngorms...and to make this even harder I am going to challenge myself by riding this unsupported, except for my beloved Pace bike and some Scottish Whisky along the way...
237 miles in 6 days. This may not seem a lot on the road, but we're riding this off road, carrying all our own stuff on the bikes including tent, sleeping bags, food and water matched with 1000m of climbing per day and just over 39 miles every day.
Despite been a qualified Outdoor Instructor from many, many moons ago, anyone who knows me well will say I can't find my way around a Supermarket easily, let alone the wilderness delights of Scotland and let's not get started on bike mechanics...
But my challenge is nothing compared to the challenges all these little warriors face at the start of their precious lives.
Every 5 minutes, a baby is admitted to neonatal care in the UK. Bliss is the leading UK charity for babies born premature or sick. They rely on donations to fund their work, and without our help they won't be able to reach the 100,000 babies needing neonatal care each year.
1 in 7 babies born in the UK will need neonatal care.
I am doing this not just for the babies, but for parents too. To send my love and strength to those who have been through or going through a real-life living nightmare. You're so strong, even on the days where you can't take much more, your emotionally exhausted & feel completely defeated. Yet you still show up cherishing every single second. You’re their number 1 cheerleader, and they’re yours.
If your in a position where you could spare just £1, it will go towards the below & collectively we’ll have made such a huge difference across the UK.
• For every £10 raised it can help to provide vital emotional support to a parent when they need it the most, helping them give the best support to their baby.
• For every £20 raised can help neonatal units across the UK, so doctors & nurses can ensure babies have access to family centred care.
• For every £50 raised it will support vital neonatal research which is responsible for significant improvements in the care & treatment of babies born premature or sick.
Every penny your able to donate really is helping to save these babies lives. I know this money will make such a huge difference but I also know it’s a big ask especially in this current climate so I really can’t thank you enough.
Love, Sophie and my girls - Honey & Ivy 🧡🙏🏼