Hello, My name is Karen and I’ve been trying to put into
words my reasons for taking on the challenge of walking the West Highland Way
in April.

I decided on the West Highland Way one evening while I was visiting
my grandbabies in the Neo Natal Ward Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, this was the
night that changed my life forever and became a Glama for the first time. My daughter Lauren had given birth to not one but two babies, yes it was twins, not only was I lucky enough to get twin grand babies but I got one of each.

Lucas Charlie and Sophia Rose arrived on the 22^nd August 2019, they were tiny little bundles 7weeks early.

Lucas weighing just 3lb 12oz and Sophia weighing 4lb 4oz,
Sophia was the bigger twin even though she was twin 2, Lucas however was a bit
smaller and had some trouble breathing, his lungs were slightly under developed
and was unable to get oxygen fully into his lungs therefore needed to go
straight into the Neo Natal Unit where he was put into a very sophisticated
incubator in the high dependency ward (these cost £8000 each) this was when it
hit me, the noise of the machines, the babies fighting for their lives with the
help of this equipment and seeing the pain and worry in the parents faces.  This was when I realised I wanted to do something to help and give something back, this was my opportunity to show a massive thanks for helping Lucas and Sophia and all the other tooties.

I wanted to do a walk that would not only be a challenge to
get the sponsors but a personal challenge, so I decided to do the West Highland
Way – A 96 mile trek over 5 days!! My Best Friend Teresa and my Sister Claire are also doing the walk with me which I’m super excited about! Two of my other besties Claire and Pauline are also tagging along, these two are our caddies, making sure that our luggage will be transferred from each destination, transport and moral support.

The twins and some other family members are meeting us on the last day and the children will also walk the last 5 miles with us so they can be a part of it all. They will be looking for sponsors too. Hopefully we will break our target and be able to present a
lovely cheque that will go towards buying the essential equipment that is
desperately needed for the little souls in the Neo Natal Unit in Aberdeen.

We will have videos and pictures along the way so you can
follow our progress.

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Hello, my name is Claire and I am also walking the West Highland Way with my sister Karen and friend Teresa.

I feel so blessed to have gained a beautiful niece and nephew and can’t thank the Neo Natal Unit enough for all the care they have provided to them.

I wanted to be there to support Karen in her challenge but was also up for a personal challenge of walking 96 miles over 5 days.

We really appreciate any donations given all of which is being given to Friends of Neo Natal an amazing local charity.

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Hi, my name is Teresa. When Karen told me she was planning on doing the walk to help raise funds for a new incubator for Aberdeen Maternity Hospital Neo Natal Unit, I jumped at the chance to join her. I had the very special privilege of visiting Karen's
grandchildren, Sophia and Lucas in the Neo Natal Unit just after they were
born. I saw how amazing the unit is, the professional and friendly nurses and
all the help that goes into a premature babies new life.

I also have personal reason to raise funds for them as I was also a premature baby, born 6 weeks early in March 1978 and spent 2 weeks in the Special Nursery and required the help and assistance of incubator and nurses. I will be eternally grateful for all they
did for me and would like to repay my thanks with challenging myself on this
walk and raising as much sponsorship as possible.

We are funding our travel and accommodation ourselves.

Thank you for your Support