My son Oliver was born in July 2017, 7 weeks early, weighing 4lb 2oz. Oliver spent the first month of his life on the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU in York). 

During that first month the SCBU Team were an invaluable source of support for Oliver, myself and my wife Sarah. The team were by our side throughout what was a very emotional and challenging time. 

Our family will forever be grateful to the SCBU Team for everything that they did for us. We know that we are not alone. There are thousands of other families that have also shared a similar experience, including some of the other members of our group.

The SCBU at York Hospital relies heavily on it's Support Group. The Group supports the Team in helping them to continue to provide care and treatment for premature and sick newborn babies. This support is provided in a variety of ways, including the purchase of specialised medical equipment, improving amenities and facilities, providing emotional and financial support for parents and siblings and supporting the education and vocational training of staff on the unit.

As a small gesture of our appreciation for the amazing work that the SCBU team do, we are aiming to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge (https://www.threepeakschallenge.uk/yorkshire-three-peaks-challenge/) to raise money for the SCBU Support Group. 

16 of us will be attempting the 24 mile "walk" in the Yorkshire Dales on 28 April 2018. I've been overwhelmed by the support of my friends in joining me on this challenge. Any further support that you can give to this very worthy cause would mean a great deal to all of us. 

Thank you for reading our story.

Joe x