On 10th January this year, our baby daughter Matilda was born - only she was born at 30 weeks and 5 days gestation, just over 9 weeks early. She weighed a smidgen over 3lb and was in Calderdale Royal Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) for 5 weeks.

The staff were absolutely incredible, providing a life-line of support to both Matilda and ourselves and we appreciate that if it hadn't been for the SCBU and its dedicated staff, together with information and support provided by Bliss - the charity for sick and premature babies, little Matilda wouldn't have made it.

Matilda, now 19 weeks old, is now a very robust 9lb 11.5oz and doing incredibly well.

As a keen (albeit not a very fast) runner, enjoying running mainly for both my physical and mental wellbeing, together with the social benefits of running with a running club, I've signed up to do the 2017 Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, supported by a few other shorter races to assist in motivating my training. I'm doing these to raise money for both Calderdale's SCBU and for the charity Bliss. I've always wanted to run a marathon, having never gone further than a few half-marathons, but never before have I had such a compelling reason to undertake such a physical and mental challenge.

In the run up to the marathon I will be competing in a few additional races, which will help me build up to the distance. These include:

Freckleton Half Marathon - 18th June;
Eccup 10 miler - 2nd July;
Yorkshireman Half Marathon - 10th September; and finally
Yorkshire Marathon - 8th October

Thanks for viewing my page and for supporting me raise money for this valuable cause. Even the tiniest of donations is greatly appreciated. Thank you.