Last year my wife gave birth to our daughter Isla at 29 weeks gestation. Isla only weighed 2lb 5oz and owing to her prematurity suffered a number of health problems. Isla was an emergency delivery and started off in intensive care where she stayed for a number of weeks and then stayed in the Neonatal ward at Ayrshire Maternity Unit for 11 weeks until she was well enough to come home with us. I have no doubt the staff at the unit saved Isla's fragile life with their professional care and for that we will always be in their debt. They looked after all of us, not just Isla.

Throughout Isla's time in the unit I felt quite helpless as every day I watched the experts care after our daughter and dozens of other sick babies. I have since then wanted to give something back. I am trying to raise £500 to give back to the unit as a token of our appreciation and to help future parents of premature babies. I can never repay the staff at the unit in full, but I hope in some small way I can show them how much I appreciate all they have done for my family. Isla is now 1 year old and developing well, all due to the care of the staff at the unit.

I hate running but I love whisky. So when I heard of the Dramathon. (A half marathon trail race through the Speyside whisky region) I thought that sounded like a challenge for me. Having never ran more than the length of myself without being out of breath, 13 miles will be a challenge. Any donations to this amazing unit will make my blisters and inevitable injuries worth it.

Thanks for reading my story, if you would like to and you can afford to, please donate whatever you can. Thank you in advance for your support. Stephen.