If you are reading this then more likely than not you know me, or Rhiannon, and our twin daughters Cerys and Marnie.

You probably also know that they didn't have the easiest start to life. They were premature (even for twins) and teeny tiny (even for twins) and had to spend many weeks in hospital.

However, you probably don't know much about TAMBA, the UK's leading twins and triplets charity.

One of the worst things about the girls arriving early was coming home. Coming through the door after they were born to empty cots, piles of little baby grows ready to go, comforters ready to comfort, and pampers ready to be...I'll stop.

But we were lucky. The girls came home. Later than we would have liked, but they got back - and hey, look at them now. Proper little champs.

Not everyone is so lucky.

Every day in the UK a multiple birth baby dies.

That is where TAMBA comes in. TAMBA does some really amazing work and leads the widest pregnancy research programme in the world. It funds clinical trials to improve outcomes, reduce prematurity and save lives. This stuff is really important - and makes a big difference - but is sorely underfunded.

It is thanks to TAMBA that, last summer, twin pregnancy growth charts were introduced to hospitals for the first time. Since then - less than a year! - when twins are scanned during pregnancy, medical professionals can use more than their best guess to judge how the babies are doing, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis.

TAMBA are currently raising money to commission a total of seven pieces of research, which will fill big gaps in what we know about managing the complexities of multiple births. This research will help improve clinical practice and improve treatment options. And help fewer parents to come home to an empty house. 

And because doctors are so amazing, and the cause is so worthy, the British Maternal & Fetal Medicine Society are matching all the funding raised for research by TAMBA - double the joy!

TAMBA also do some brilliant stuff to support parents of twins. They provide ongoing support to families, including practical advice and a free helpline. And they have even negotiated a 20% discount from Clarks. 

So, unless you want to see my kids waddling around the north east with cardboard gaffer-taped around their feet in place of shoes, then please give generously.

Jonny