Mia Alaw Jones was born at 23 weeks and 6 days (over 16 weeks early) on December 10th 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester. Against all the odds, she survived and is still in the neonatal ward 8 weeks later, getting stronger every day.

She has undergone surgery, had countless tests, numerous blood transfusions and many ups and downs along the way, but the doctors and nurses have never given up and work tirelessly to help Mia get stronger. Although she still has a long journey ahead of her before she can come home, she has already come so far - from coming off the ventilator to having surgery, from having her first cuddle with mummy to crying for the first time!

When I was discharged from the hospital, myself and my husband were offered a room in Ronald McDonald House, where we can stay for free for as long as we need whilst Mia is in the hospital. We were so worried about where we were going to stay, seeing as the hospital is an hour and a half drive from our home in North Wales, so we were so relieved to find out that this option was available for us. The facilities in Ronald McDonald House are amazing and it means that we are right next door to where our little girl is, so we can visit her whenever we want and not worry about traveling or paying for the room.

We will be splitting the total money raised between these two amazing causes: The NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester to help buy vital new equipment and continue the amazing work that they do. The other half of the money will go to Ronald McDonald House, Manchester, who provide free 'home away from home' accommodation for families with children that are in the hospital.

We will also be organising a fundraising "evening of entertainment" in Llandudno Junction Labour Club on Saturday 27th May - more info to come on that.