Hi

Our son, Aaron James, was born on 24 July 2009 - much to our surprise!

His due date was 9 September 2009, but obviously he couldn’t wait that long to meet his Mummy and Daddy for the first time.

I can remember driving up to St John’s Hospital the night before, thinking that Angela would get looked at by a doctor and that it was likely we’d be sent home with no more than some re-assuring advice.

Little did we know that our new baby boy would be spending the next 18 days in the hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

Given he was more than 7 weeks early, the wee man’s lungs were not fully formed for the outside world. He had difficulties feeding, maintaining body temperature and initially wasn’t able to breath on his own. To say we were scared, worried and anxious would be a massive understatement.

SCBU not only ensured that Aaron James received excellent medical care and that his early health issues were overcome, but that Angela and I also got first rate care, support and guidance, for which we are eternally grateful.

It has been a while since we needed SCBU, but the hard work supporting premature and sick babies and their families continues.

SCBU are always fundraising to ensure that they can continue that first rate support and I hope that I can use my upcoming personal challenge (a 24-hour endurance obstacle course race in the Nevada Desert!) as an opportunity to give a little something back.

I hope you can dig into your pockets a bit and make a donation, no matter how small.

If anyone wants some insight into the types of things which SCBU use their funds for, I’d be more than happy to talk to you in more detail about this – just get in touch.

Many thanks and much love from Alan, Angela and Aaron James

xxx