Despite a self-imposed retirement from running, I am back in action and am taking part in the Great North Run 2017 with the hope of raising some funds for Tiny Lives at Newcastle's RVI.

In May of this year, our son Wilf was born 7 weeks early. As a result, he needed a short stay in the SCBU at the RVI. We witnessed first hand the fantastic care offered to both the poorly babies and their families, and would like to give something back as a big thank you.

Tiny Lives, as a charity, fund the care of premature and sick newborn babies and their families. This includes providing a range of equipment, training, specialist support staff and research - and these things do not come cheap. To ensure the highest quality of care is given, the charity needs to raise over £250,000 per year, so every penny makes a massive difference!

As an example of costs:

- The cosy bed nests used for proper positioning and stability cost approximately £27,000 per year

- Positioning Aids used to individualise support cost approximately £14,000 per year

- Swandoodle Muslins are used for multiple reasons (burping covers, bibs, changing mats, nappies, comforters, head protection) and can cost up to £7,000 annually  

- Miniboos are a comforter and bonding aid used to stimulate the baby's awareness of their mother/father's scent . Their absorbent, eco-friendly and anti-bacterial material means they can be kept in incubators unlike most other teddies/toys. Miniboos cost approximately £10,560 annually.

We consider Wilf to be incredibly lucky that he only needed a short stay in SCBU but the level of care during that time did not go unnoticed. Some families need extensive support so any donation you could give to help the cause would be massively appreciated by all :)

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