Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

There are times during one’s life when we experience events that put things into perspective. On July 5th 2019 my wife and I welcomed our identical twin boys into the world, after what was a successful natural birth unfortunately, our world was rocked with two scares. One being with our youngest Louie who just couldn't regulate his body temperature and proceeded to be rushed into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where he was treated before eventually being moved to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). Our second scare was with Seb, the oldest, who decided that he could not function without being by his brother’s side. Seb lost consciousness whilst being breastfed and turned completely blue - It is safe to say this was the scariest moment in my life! The response from all the Professional medical staff on the Folkestone Ward at the William Harvey Hospital was nothing short of exceptional. After Seb was revived he was taken to the NICU and placed next to Louie where both boys lay helpless yet receiving unconditional care and attention from the amazing staff on the specialist unit.  

Both Seb and Louie made excellent progress and were transferred to the SCBU where the care and support offered to us as parents and our boys was the best service I have ever received or experienced.  

Thankfully there are not many occasions in life where trauma comes at you like a bolt out of the blue and with no warning and this sadly was one of those moments. We read and hear so much about how the NHS is under resourced yet the unfaltering care and effort that the staff give without hesitation is nothing short of miraculous. We spent a full week in the SCBU where we were fortunate enough to form a bond with the medical staff. We witnessed babies come and go, we watched nurses having to do carry out their professional development in between seeing to sick babies - It was at this point I thought more needs to be done. How could I contribute in some small way and how could I say thank you for the amazing care my boys have received? 

As some may be aware I am passionate about sport and love to challenge myself. It so happens that 2020 Ironman Austria falls on the 5th July 2020 - the year anniversary that my boys were saved by the expertise and care of the unit staff. In order to raise funds for the doctors and nurses of the NICU and SCBU I have decided to compete at Ironman Austria (2.4-mile Swim, 112-mile Bike and 26.2 mile Run) and in the build up to this event complete other challenges such as a double channel swim, Boswood 70.3 and more.  

In order to raise further awareness Dover Grammar School for Boys are showing their support by taking part in a range of activities to raise money and awareness.  Students will be taking part in relay teams completing the distance of an Ironman. There is a staff and parents DGSB raffle with all prizes kindly donated by local businesses, the community and parents with all money raised going towards the Tiny Toes Charity.