It is hard to imagine my feisty little girl was once so ill but she had a rocky start in life. 

I went for a routine check up at 29 weeks pregnant and my consultant took my hand and said, 'how good is your husband at taking news?' I was was told I had preeclampsia and needed to tell Dave to come home and pack a bag with me as I was being admitted to hospital within two hours. We were told that our twins would be delivered within days, ten weeks early. Despite knowing the risks associated with twin pregnancies, it came as a massive shock. 

We got on with it and prepared ourselves but miraculously, I lasted over five weeks in hospital - claiming the prestigious title of being one of only two women in the hospital's history to last over five weeks after being diagnosed with my degree of the illness! I was very sick, exhausted and taking 25 tablets a day for blood pressure control - but I kept those babies in until I was nearly 35 weeks pregnant. We had made it, we thought. At this stage of gestation, the twins would be small and need some feeding assistance, but they should be past the period of needing extensive support. 

However, Lily, the first to be born, was very ill. She was born unable to breath on her own and with the lungs of a baby born at 27 weeks. She was rushed to the resuscitation table and then off to Buscot, the neonatal ward. We were left holding our son Zach, this tiny baby who needed us but not knowing if our daughter was even breathing. It is a feeling I will never forget. Thirty minutes later Zach was also taken off to be treated for jaundice and blood sugar issues. We had two children but they were sick and I hadn't even held one of them in my arms. We felt empty and helpless. 

The next 24 hours were critical as our baby girl fought for her life. Lily was very sick and in the high dependency room on the neonatal ward. The staff worked tirelessly and over the weeks, Lily grew stronger. Watching her progress was incredible. We are under no illusion that we owe her life to the staff on Buscot. 

Nothing can prepare you for life with a baby (or two!) in special care. We spent a total of 11 weeks in hospital and it took all our strength to keep going. There were some very tough times and even when she left the ward Lily suffered setbacks as she caught bronchiolitis in her early months which left her already fragile lungs scarred and resulted in numerous hospital stays and emergency trips to A&E over her first two years. 

But we now have two happy and healthy four year olds. There is certainly nothing wrong with my girl's lungs now! 

Dave and I got involved with Babies in Buscot Support, BIBS, the charity which supports the ward, three years ago and I am currently its Chair of Trustees. It is a charity so close to our hearts. As BIBS we help to provide support to parents, facilities to make the ward an easier home from home and vital equipment to help save tiny lives. Knowing we are supporting and helping babies like Lily and Zach and their families makes me immensely proud to be involved with and to support our wonderful charity. 

As you all know it is very unlike me to ask for sponsorship but if you only sponsor me once, please may it be for this. 

I am not a natural runner or a sporty type. This will be a major challenge for me. But you all know me to be stubborn and determined and I have started training and will put in the training required to get round!

Thank you for reading my story and for your support. I will buy you a pint if I can still walk at the end of March. 

All my love, 

Naomi