In August 2007 Annabel and I lost our second daughter Peonie due to the fact that she was born four months early, and therefore just too early to survive. To watch what seemed to us to be a perfectly formed little baby die in our arms, was without doubt the most traumatic experience we have ever had or could ever imagine having. Sadly we are not alone, and many other parents in the UK go through the same heart-wrenching experience.

Little over a year on, we are now thrilled to have our little Flora, a sister for Daisy, and life is again full of joy.  With the worst behind us, we wanted to try and do something positive in Peonie’s name, and as such I will run the Flora London Marathon 2009 (incidentally, Flora was not named after the marathon!!). Whilst Annabel would have loved to run with me, she will be busy looking after the two girls, but is key in the field of nagging me to train during the long winter evenings – being the most unfit man in Hampshire, nagging is something I most definitely need!

I will be running for BLISS - the only national organisation dedicated to improving the survival and long-term quality of life for babies born too soon, too small, or too sick to cope on their own. They also fund clinical research projects and are hugely involved in supporting the families, like us, who need help and guidance through very difficult and dark times. If you would like to know more about this excellent charity then please have a look at their website www.bliss.org.uk.

Thank you for any support you feel you can give. 

Tom