I will be running London marathon and cycling Ride London (100 miles) in celebration of our daughter who was born prematurely. Fundraising to date has included 3 sponsored massage days and a baby item sale, with a sponsored walk across the Malvern Hills in the pipeline for the 20.05.23. So if you're on this page to sponsor one of our fantastic friends and their efforts, you're in the right place 🙌 ❤  Thank you!

My waters broke spontaneously at 34 weeks 6 days, and our daughter, Madeleine, arrived very shortly after. Maddy's prematurity meant she hadn't developed the reflex to suck and swallow yet and required NG feeding for the first 3 weeks of her life. During this time and the weeks after, we navigated a whole new world of terminology, expectations and vulnerability.

Bliss were vital to our wellbeing whilst in hospital and upon discharge. Providing us with facts, options and a sense of community by knowing that we weren't the only family experiencing these challenges.

Maddy is now a happy, thriving one year old and I will be completing these challenges as a way to say thank you to Bliss, and to raise awareness and funds for other families.

The challenge:

1) I will be running London marathon on April 23rd 2023! I have been a keen runner since my early 20's however stopped road marathons in 2017 when I fell out of love with the intense training required and the chasing of a time. I have since completed many Ultra marathons, and love the freedom of these events and how far away from the pressure of road races that they are. I have always said however, that if I ever had a cause I was truly passionate about, that I would return for one last road marathon, as long as it was London, and as long as I truly chased a PB time. Bliss has given me this opportunity - and I am so honoured to represent them and all the incredible families they support. The only problem here is that my brain gets carried away thinking of all the babies and families and I find myself regularly not being able to see where I am going!!! 

2) The second challenge is something completely new to me. A 100 mile bike ride!!! This will be Ride London on 28th May 2023. I haven't ridden a bike since I was a child (we will ignore the tantrum of a ride I did in France that once (:). In my role as an OT I have however taught children and teenagers with dyspraxia how to ride their bikes and I share many a similar difficulty. I have been practicing in my garage on a turbo trainer, and did my first actual bike ride of 10km on 2nd Jan 2023! Now to casually increase that distance to 100 miles and jobs a goodun.... 😆 🤣 😂 

3) Training.... my training program consists of 3 runs a week, 2 S&C sessions and 2 bike rides. The bike rides will increase after the marathon. This alongside being Mum to a toddler and a large dog whilst working as an OT 4 days a week will be a juggle. But nothing worthwhile was ever easy! :) 

Bliss is almost entirely reliant on the donations that it receives from people like me and you, so please make this all worthwhile and help  celebrate the lives of all babies born premature or sick by donating today  😃