Those of you who know me will know that I don't run, so it may come as a surprise to hear that myself and my sister in-law, Fiona, will be running the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 1st this year. Why??

On February 22nd 2014, my partner Michael and I, drove to the hospital in a state of nervous excitement, ready to meet our baby boy for the first time. However things did not run smoothly and our little man was taken straight to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of Wecsam Maelor Hospital. 

In SCBU he was provided with round-the-clock care for two weeks, until he was finally well enough to come home. Unlike many of the babies in the unit he wasn't early, he was just poorly and needed the help of the dedicated, doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants to help him in those first few weeks. 

They also helped us, a lot! In the early hours of the morning, when the hospital turned to a ghost ship, the health care assistants and nurses were there, to chat, to listen, just to be a friendly face. I lived at the hospital for two weeks and simple things like a place to make tea and coffee or to take a shower were vital. Cherish provides these simple things that can be life savers when your world feels like it's collapsing around you. 

We are lucky, we now have a happy, healthy three year old. But we won't forget the help received in those first precious weeks. So please help us in hitting our target and hopefully help babies and parents who find themselves in this situation in the future. 

Thank you everyone!! 

P.S. We'll let you know how we get on in October (if I can still move!) x 

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