On average parents travel 27 miles to visit their premature or sick baby in neonatal care - with some families travelling up to 100 miles.

But with access to neonatal units currently restricted - the current COVID-19 pandemic is making the barriers which prevent parents being with their baby even harder to overcome.

Some parents currently aren't able to be with their baby at all - and for others the daily costs of travel to hospital and the challenge of finding childcare for older children come at a time when many families are facing job insecurity.

What is Go the Distance for Bliss?

Go the Distance is a 27 or 100 mile challenge that you get to choose when, where and how you complete. Whether you walk, cycle or run, you'll know that you are helping us to remove as many barriers as possible to parents being involved in their baby's care.

By sponsoring you for every mile covered, your friends and family will help you to go the distance whilst raising money to support babies born premature or sick.

Find out more about how you can sign up to be part of #TeamBliss www.bliss.org.uk/events/gothedistanceforbliss

How is Bliss helping babies & their families?

Babies have the very best outcomes if their parents are able to be actively involved in their care.

We're currently campaigning for the Government to introduce financial support for families with a baby in neonatal care, free parking at hospitals, and for parents suspected of having COVID-19 to be prioritised for testing to minimise separation from their baby.

Through our Parents are not Visitors campaign , we are urging hospitals to review their visiting policies and have already seen some network-wide policy changes as a result.

Our email and video calls with Bliss Champion volunteers who usually support parents on neonatal units provide families with somewhere to turn for practical information and emotional support.