I'm running the Yorkshire 10 Miles on 15th October to raise money for the Big Neonatal Appeal. I have never run this distance before and only took up running in the last few years.

For many years I have had the privilage of being a NICU nurse and more recently the Matron for a fantastic Neonatal service focused on helping families to be close to their babies during their time of need.

Parents often have to travel long distances each day, sometimes for weeks or months at a time, just to visit their baby in hospital.

Many families stay in hotel rooms or sleep on a chair at their child's cotside. This leads to exhaustion and increasing levels of anxiety and stress at a time when many feel like their world is already upside down.

The cost to families of having a baby of the NICU is significant. Bliss completed a study in 2022 that shows us that the average NICU family spends £405 a week on travel, accommodation and take away food whilst their child is an inpatient.

The aim of the Big Appeal is to extend the current family accommodation to ensure more parents can be near their babies and reduce their financial burden. We want to make sure parents have comfortable places to stay overnight and are able to remain close to their child. Additionally we want to makes sure that they are fully looked after, well fed and have laundry and spiritual facilities at their disposal.

Please help us to make our NICU even better and support the families of premature or sick babies in their hour of need.