Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I’m running around Northumberland for a total of 100k (62miles). This is the distance I travelled back and forth from home to James Cook Hospital, so quite fitting. I will post a route and start time later for anyone that wants to come along to run with me or support from the sides.

Tayla had Maya 9 weeks early so she was only 3lbs. This meant she was so small that she couldn’t breathe without a ventilator. After a few days she then moved to a CPAP machine, which prevented her airway from collapsing. She was born at the RVI and got blue lighted to James Cook Neonatal Unit where we spent 5 days and eventually got to Cramlington for 3 weeks before making it home just in time for Christmas Day.

Tiny Lives support and champions premature and sick newborn babies and their families, at the Newcastle Neonatal Service and across the North East and North Cumbria

They provide anything from Miniboo Comforters to Specialised Parent and Baby Classes, care aids, specialist staff posts, room refurbs, video messaging to parents, financial assistance, books, medical equipment and more.

Miniboo’s are small cloth comforters, designed to help soothe a baby and encourage bonding between parent and baby. The Miniboo is placed into Mam (or Dad’s) top, and then placed into the incubator so that the baby can smell their parent. We still have ours to this day.

Having a sick or premature newborn baby can be the most difficult of times. For some, it may start before or during pregnancy, and for others it may continue long after discharge.

They offer practical and emotional support to families helping to make the neonatal experience a little easier and more comfortable for babies and their families, both while on the neonatal unit and when home.

Tiny Lives has supported thousands of babies and their families. Each year, the charity supports over 800 babies and their families from the Newcastle Neonatal Service alone.