I will be running the Great North Run in September with my brother Zach for my niece Rosa Kathleen Little, raising money for team Bliss which is a charity for premature and sick babies.

Here is my brother Zach’s story,

On the 7th of September 2023, my partner Sophie gave birth to our amazing little girl Rosa. She was 6 weeks premature weighing only 4lb, which led to her being rushed from the West Cumberland Hospital in Cumbria to The James Cook Hospital in Middlesborough.

The care Rosa received in James Cook Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was absolutely amazing and as a family, we will be forever grateful.

Myself and Sophie were able to stay in a flat connected to the ward where we had 24-hour access to see our little girl. We were at The James Cook Hospital for 4 weeks and without this support, we would have had to commute daily to be there for Rosa throughout her recovery. This would’ve been a huge struggle, on top of an already tough situation, with living so far away.

After 4 weeks in James Cook, Rosa was well enough to be transferred back to West Cumberland Special Care Baby Unit which was another step closer to home. Rosa then spent a few nights in the West Cumberland Hospital before we were able to take her home.

Rosa is now 5 months old and thriving. Words cannot describe how proud we are as parents for everything Rosa has overcome. Throughout Rosa’s recovery, we as a family saw firsthand the amazing work charities like Bliss do and how much of a positive impact they have on families like ours through tough times.

Every day more than 300 babies are admitted to a neonatal unit in the UK. That's why on the 8th of September 2024, I'm going to be running for Bliss in the Great North Run.

Bliss is the UK's leading charity for babies born premature or sick and any donations will be going directly to Bliss to give these babies the start they deserve.

Thank you.