This year I would like us to support a charity that provides much needed care and support for our loved ones who are just starting their journeys with us.  Some of you may have gone through this experience with your own children and even a few of you with your grandchildren.

Anita and I experienced this with our dear son Flynn, who was so keen on meeting us he decided to arrive 9 weeks early, weighing just 3lb 12oz and requiring intensive neonatal care.

Being told that he had a 50/50 chance of making it through his first 24 hrs with us, was heartbreaking and we owe a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to pay in full to every one of the amazing NHS staff that tended to Flynn when he and we needed them the most.

But we were the lucky ones. We met parents during that time who simply lost their worlds.

Therefore, my chosen charity is Bliss – for babies born premature or sick.

Every 5 minutes, a baby is admitted to neonatal care in the UK.Bliss is the leading UK charity for babies born premature or sick. They rely on donations to fund their work, and without our help they won't be able to reach the 100,000 babies needing neonatal care each year. 

Your donation to my page will help Bliss to drive improvements in neonatal care, to ensure that the needs of babies are at the heart of policy and planning for the future, and to provide information and support to all families with a baby born premature or sick.