Over the next few weeks, Toby and I will be doing a sponsored alphabet walk in support of Barnsley Hospital Charity.

We will be walking at places in the local area beginning with each letter of the alphabet, sometimes joined by friends and family.

We wanted to do a fundraising challenge that Toby could be involved in (in his pram or baby carrier), as a way of saying thank you for the care he has received at Barnsley Hospital in his short life so far.

Toby is six months old and was born at Barnsley Hospital in January, arriving into the world just hours before his big brother Charlie turned three.

In the past four months, Toby has been supported by staff in A&E, children’s assessment unit and on the children’s wards, with two admissions for sepsis and viral meningitis and three days of monitoring for three bouts of bronchiolitis.

When we needed to be, we were seen urgently. Medical procedures and terminology were well-explained to us so we were informed about our boy’s care, progress and next steps at all times.

When I shed tears, staff offered comforting arms. When our baby was undergoing necessary but distressing treatment, they did their utmost to soothe him.

Most importantly, they were there for him, to get him well again, in his hours of need.

It is not the first time we have sung the praises of staff here, as our eldest boy Charlie had admissions with infections when he was a baby.

The two of us later took part in mum and baby fitness challenges to raise money for Barnsley Hospital Charity - now it’s Toby’s turn to support their work.

Words will never be enough to express our gratitude. Thank you - for caring for our babies, for listening to us, for reassuring us, and ultimately, for enabling us to bring home healthy children after some of our most worrying times.