I'm lucky enough in my life to be a Nana to three little boys.  (albeit "step" Nana to Jack, and "Nicicar" to Finley).  This year my daughter Ellie, had her first baby which I experienced with her and her partner Patrick - our little Rupert was born at Musgrove (very quickly) but was beautifully healthy and has been thriving over the first 10 weeks of his life.  To share in the joy of his birth and witness him make his appearance into the world was mind blowing. 

Whilst in hospital with my daughter, you realise that not all parents have the fairytale birth story and some unfortunately do have very sick babies.  Our family has experienced this in the past, with my cousin's little girl being born with complicated health issues.  

I wished to choose a charity which really meant something to me, although we didn't need the services of SNICU - I wanted to raise money to benefit those parents, grandparents and families who desperately need the valuable medical help and support  from the SNICU. 

This bike ride will be a huge challenge to me personally, it will be physically difficult, long, exhausting and painful, but I am determined to do it.   The parents of very sick babies, I am sure face similar battles on a daily basis, with their treasured little ones being so poorly.   If you feel able, please give whatever you can afford to help my cause and help the parents and families keep in touch with each other.

Love Musgrove are looking to fund a brand new service right here in the Somerset Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (SNICU). For parents of babies needing admission to the unit its a very difficult time, often meaning that parents have to spend time away from the newborn babies. The VCreate service allows us to record video updates which parents can access from anywhere online. Parents have found this hugely helpful and reassuring, and then, at the end of their stay, they can keep all the videos so they have a lasting record of their babies early life.

Thank you every one for reading.  Love Nic XXX