In 2016 my wife and I had our first child Evelyn. She was in so much of a rush to meet us that she was born 6 weeks premature. We was extremely fortunate with the care and attention that Warwick Hospital and the special care baby unit (SCBU) gave us during this time.

The hospital at the time was overloaded, this became particularly apparent when we was asked by a lead nurse if would consider moving to Nuneaton Hospital to free up space in Warwick as they were full. If anyone else was in the same position to us that evening (i.e. unexpected/premature) they would need to go elsewhere. We chose to stay, the move would have been too far for us to be able to effectively commute in to be with Evie every day, at the time we also didn’t know if it would be 1 week or 6 weeks + until she could come out. So we put ourselves first, with thoughts of empathy towards  others.

Following this decision and  feelings it left me with and the excellent care and attention we received, I felt that at some point if I could, I should do something to help repay Warwick Hospital but also try to improve the situation the NHS and our hospitals are under day in day out for others in the future.

When I found out about the proposed new Midwifery Led Unit at Warwick and their target to raise £200,000 to fund enhancements that NHS funds cannot provide. It seems like the perfect opportunity for me to try and do my bit.

My Bit:

Evie's Cotswold Cycle ride....

18th August 2018

I have planned a 100mile cycle route across the Cotswolds visiting a combination of 8 brewerys/pubs/distillaries. Combining two things I enjoy Beer and Cycling ... although i think will save the beer until the end!!

Locations on route include :

Hook Norton Brewery, Wychwood Brewery, The Cotswold Brewery Company, Donnington Brewery, Yubbington Brewery/Ebrington Arms,  Chipping  Camden,  Broadway,  Snowshill, North Cotswold Brewery, Cotswold Distillery, The Castle Edge Hill.

Please sponsor me on my bike ride, or join me and help raise money. 

All funds will go towards:

• Buy special baby cribs and stands, rather than standard plastic cots

• Provide birthing pools for every room

• Upgrade furnishings to make the unit feel like a home-from-home

• Develop a therapeutic room for parents to use