This year I am running the Swansea 10k in support of my sister Jade, and my nephew Sully, to raise awareness of Group B Strep (GBS).

After being born by emergency cesarean, Sully and Jade showed signs of distress, both peaked in temperature and Sully's breathing appeared difficult. Sully was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where treatment for an infection started. Sully had numerous blood tests and a lumbar puncture to test for meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. Sully was later confirmed as positive for GBS Sepsis. This was a frightening time as we didn't know whether Sully would ever make it home, having then researched the infection.

He was treated with a course of IV antibiotics for 14 days and his infection markers dropped to 0 - he'd beaten it!

None of us, including Jade, had heard of the GBS infection, which is shocking as it is so common and can be fatal! The infection is not routinely tested for in pregnancy in the UK and mums to be are not informed of the risks. In places such as Australia, GBS is routinely tested for at 37wks of pregnancy, where a positive result will result in Mum receiving antibiotics during labour to help prevent the infection getting to the baby.

I want to raise awareness of GBS so more and more people are informed of this horrible infection. Sully was incredibly lucky to have overcome it however there are many babies who were not as lucky as him. The goal is for the UK to introduce routine screening for GBS during pregnancy, and this is a small step towards that goal. Any money raised will go to the GBS support charity who do amazing work for raising awareness!

Group B Streptococcus is the UK's most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies and of meningitis in babies under age 3 months.

On average in the UK, at least

-two babies a day develop a group B Strep infection

-one baby a week dies from their GBS infection, and

-one baby a week survives with long-term disabilities – physical, mental or both.

Yet most group B Strep infections are preventable. Group B Strep Support informs families & health professionals about group B Strep to save tiny lives.