On April 26th 2026 I will be running the London Marathon, taking on the 26.2 mile challenge in order to raise money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Derby & Burton Hospital, a cause extremely close to my heart.

The NICU ward is a place no parent can ever picture themselves needing but last year we found ourselves in an unimaginable situation after our little boy Jacob decided to make his entrance to the world 12 weeks early (at just 28 weeks gestation) weighing a tiny 2lb 4oz. Thankfully, the amazing team at Burton Hospital managed to resuscitate and stabilise him before transferring him to Derby Hospital, where he spent 12 weeks in the NICU.

The NICU journey is a complete rollercoaster filled with uncertainty, constant setbacks and unexpected turns along the way. Not only did the heroic staff save his life and care for him around the clock, they helped our family through the most difficult time of our lives and supported us every step of the way.

Now, Jacob is a healthy, cheeky, unstoppable toddler who fills our home with laughter. We’re so proud of him and so grateful for the care that made it all possible.

Taking part in the London Marathon for Derby & Burton Hospitals is not just a personal challenge for myself but an opportunity to say thank you and give back to a unit that do life-saving work every single day.

Like many NHS units, they rely heavily on charitable donations to upgrade life-saving equipment, improve staff & family facilities, fund specialist training and staff support whilst providing a calmer and more comfortable environment for babies and parents.

Please support by donating whatever you can to this incredible cause. Every contribution helps to ensure that other families facing the same journey can receive the world class care that we did.

Let the training begin! 🏃‍♂️

Thank you!

💙💙