For any parent the first hours with your newborn child are so precious, so many emotions charging through your body. A small and delicate addition to your family lies there in your arms, a whole new chapter in your life begins. Within an hour of Max being born he was whisked off to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for support with his breathing. The nurses and doctors were not happy with his how much effort he was exerting to breath and later to be diagnosed to us as "grunting". 

The coming days were such a torrid time of emotions, constant checking of monitors, continuous beeping of life saving machines, willing your child to get better, improve their stats to bring them home and begin life properly. If not for the brilliant work by the doctors and nurses at the NICU at the Grange Hospital, Max may have not been so lucky to come home. The endless advice, support, guidance and patience shown to us by all the staff helping us get through what should be a great moment in life, will not be forgotten.

Max spent 10 days in the Neonatal department after being born. 10 of the longest days I could ever imagine, each day I travelled first thing in the morning after getting Seb ready for his day at nursery to be there and take over from Shelley, allowing her to rest and get restbite as she too recovered from giving birth to Max by caesarean. It was this journey that allowed me to reflect on all the positives and also over think all of the negatives that we were experiencing. 

We are one of the fortunate families that got to walk out together, I know there are so many instances where this is not always achieved and I could not imagine the feeling to do so. Over 100,000 children are admitted to Neonatal units every year for various reasons to support their growth and development. This fundraiser will help towards funds to support the newborn children and families goign through this difficult time.

I am running from home to the Grange Hospital everyday, for 10 days, finishing on what will be Max's second birthday to raise vital funds for the unwavering support and impeccable care provided to Max in those first few days, so that other children and families have the chance to walk out together.

If you can spare any money to contribute to my efforts I would be very grateful. And for those that would like to join me, for any lengths of my run, please get in touch. A friendly face or two will give me that much needed motivation each day to make it to the hospital.

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