Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

A friend of mine decided to take part in the supersonic 10k run and somehow I decided to join in the fun, and before I knew it I had applied for my race place, chosen a charity and was waiting for my race approval! All this in a matter of hours one Saturday evening....

Once the realisation of the task I had taken on had sunk in, I did think OMG... mainly because anyone that knows me knows that I don't run and can't run ooops!

But let’s not worry about that, I’m up for the challenge and let’s face it - it sure will be! It's certainly going to put me through my paces so let the training begin. It also helps, that as I know this will be mammoth task for me, (I know it’s only 10k, but come on, it’s me!) it will give me the drive & determination I need to make sure I cross that finish line running.

So as to why I choose my charity.... simple really, I have two beautiful daughter's both of which were born at Poole - St Mary's Maternity Hospital. I was looked after really well on both occasions, my sister also had her daughter and more recently her son there.

With the birth of her son her time at the Maternity Unit was somewhat lengthy. She went in one afternoon not feeling well and ended up staying for 2 weeks! My sister was quite poorly, dangerously poorly in fact. Her little baby had to be taken up to the Neo-Natal ward for special care as he only weighed 4lb, fortunately he only spent two days there before joining my sister on the post-natal ward, the little soldier that he is! The staff looked after them wonderfully and within a few weeks she was coming home with baby in tow! Both are doing really well.

Special thanks to St Mary's Maternity Unit!

Late last year my sister in law had her first child, a beautiful baby girl (although not at Poole) She too, spent a little time on the post-natal ward (as most of us mummy's do) being looked after by the midwifes & doctors. Her little girl, like my sister's little one, had to be taken to the Neo-Natal ward for specialist care. They too were looked after and supported really well during this difficult time by their midwife and doctor team, and a few weeks later, they were able to bring their little baby home! She’s a little solider, and is doing really well too!

So within the last few months I have become an aunty again, to a little girl (October 2012) and also a little boy being the latest addition (March 2013)

So the purpose of my run (aside from increasing my fitness level) is to raise money for the Unit, to help them buy equipment and supplies, these being items such as cots, blankets, medicines, clothing and nappies.

The cause of my run and dedication to it remains the same, regardless of hospital; the nature of the maternity unit remains the same. To look after 'new born babies' but also to take care of those who are born and require special care in neo-natal.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So, I am asking myself to run this 'supersonic race' and now I am asking YOU to donate and support me and my chosen charity by donating whatever you can. Besides, I would like to think that donations will come flooding in once the words, Nikki, training & actual running are all mentioned in the same sentence!!

PS, Did I forget to mention that I have a 'time frame' set to complete this run and if I smash my time (not telling what it is..!) as well as the fundraising target, the incentive I negotiated with my husband will be presented by way of a Spa treatment, I'm thinking foot massage and pedicure wouldn’t go a miss!!

Dig deep folks and set me on my way, now where are my trainers……..

Nikki x x x