It's been a busy old summer.  As many of you may know, in late May I was offered a place on BBC's Sport Mastermind (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, BBC2, 8pm - I will be appearing on the final Heat on Wednesday 13th August) and the revision was going really well until...our beautiful daughter Nina Victoria decided to come into the world 5 1/2 weeks early, on 17th June 2008.  Nina was strong and healthy for a 4lbs 12 oz preemie, but was badly jaundiced and had to be cared for in Kingston hospital's neo-natal unit for four days, feeding through a nasogastric tube and receiving extensive light therapy on a "bilibed". The one piece of equipment which really seemed to get her better however was a "biliblanket" , which delivers phototherapy in a gentler and less distressing way, for both child and parents.  This great piece of kit , however, costs around £2500 and is not available on the NHS.

So in order to show our gratitude for Nina's safe arrival and to apply that extra dimension of pressure to my Mastermind experience, I would like to rise the cost of an extra biliblanket for the neonatal unit, by asking you if you would sponsor me, either for being stupid enough to put myself forward for Mastermind in the first place, or by making a donation dependent on the number of questions I get right when I faced the mighty Des Lynam recently. 32 is the top heatwinning score so far...

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kingston Hospital Born Too Soon Fund gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
Many thanks,

Nevin