Richard Jones and Dave Alvey are the NICU Ninjas. You may think this sounds ridiculous? Well it does, but we were put on the spot, prompted for a name, and panicked.

In September 2017 we will be participating in a race across Scotland. Over two days, we will be running, cycling and kayaking 105 miles from the east coast, up through the mountains, and back down to the west coast. Neither of us are serious athletes, but we are doing it to raise money for the Peterborough Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

NICU looks after premature and poorly babies, giving them a fighting chance at life. They work tirelessly to care for them, many of whom have serious health complications, and to support parents during a very difficult and stressful time. This is a cause that is very close to our hearts for two reasons. The first is Amelia. The second is Effie.

Richard’s daughter Amelia was born by emergency C-section in September 2012. She was 3 months premature and weighed 1lbs 12ozs. It took 7 minutes to resuscitate her once she was born, and she spent 11 weeks in NICU. Amelia is now a healthy and very happy 4 year old.
Dave’s daughter Effie was born 5 weeks premature on 1st October 2016. Effie weighed 6lbs 7ozs and spent 3 weeks in NICU. Effie is now home, thriving and stealing the hearts of all her family and friends.

Neither of them would be with us if it wasn’t for the amazing staff at NICU, and their tireless commitment.

With your help, we hope to raise enough to enable NICU invest in new equipment and to continue providing parents with much needed support.
So please dig deep people.

This isn’t going to be easy. Our greatest sporting achievements to date are a couple of half marathons. We live and will train in the flattest part of the country, and truth be told, neither of us really knows what a kayak is.

Many thanks,

Richard & Dave.