Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page. 

I'm going to shave my legs............

For many of you this will be the second time I have harassed you for sponsorship for Tiny Lives. 

Last year many friends, family and generous strangers sponsored me £1,100 to do the Great North Run for Tiny Lives.  This year I wanted to do a cycling challenge for them in memory of my son Rory.

The challenge requires a lot of training and preparation on the bike. This is particularity personal to me as I spend a lot of time thinking about Rory whilst I'm cycling and it is when I am putting in the most effort that I feel closest to him. 

On Sunday 10th August 2014 I will be riding 100 miles in the Prudential RideLondon: London - Surrey 100. As an added incentive: if I reach my target of £500 I will 'go pro' and shave my legs for the ride!

I have funded my own place and will be paying for all other expenses connected with completing this challenge.  100% of the money you give will go to the Tiny Lives Trust. Tiny Lives is the dedicated charity of the Special Care Baby Unit: Ward 35, at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. The SCBU is the regional centre for the North East and Cumbria for babies born too soon, too small or too sick.

Our Story 

On 11th March 2013 my wife Andrea and I had our world turned upside down. Andrea was 24 weeks pregnant, expecting twin boys and we attended the maternity department at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for a routine check up. The day turned out to be anything but routine. Andrea was in labour and on in the morning on Tuesday 12th March Euan was born, shortly followed by his brother Rory, both weighing 1lb 6oz each. Euan and Rory were immediately taken into the 'Red Area' (Neonatal Intensive Care) in the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI. The first few weeks did not go smoothly. Both Euan and Rory had operations at the Freeman hospital. Andrea and I were regulars in what we called 'the bad news room', but we did our best to stay strong for our two beautiful little boys. Then things took a turn for the worse. Rory had a number of problems over his first few weeks of life, and in the early hours of Thursday 11th April, he died. We were devistated. Nothing will replace Rory. We still love him and always will, but knowing he had the best possible care available in his short time with us gives us a lot of comfort.After 104 days, 7 hours and 36 minutes of life in special care, we finally got to take Euan home. He was on oxygen 24 hours per day at first, but he was weaned off over time. Euan is now 1 year old and is a healthy happy little boy. 

What does Tiny Lives Trust do? 

It provides the SCBU with the some of the tools training and staff they need to provide the immense level of care that the NHS alone can't afford. Here is a video to show the work of Tiny Lives in action. I can assure you that Euan and Rory used every piece of equipment and expertise shown. Thank you.