This December, big sister Martha, Jess and I will be joining hundreds of Santas for the Leeds Santa Dash—a festive 3KM run through the city that’s all about spreading joy and making a difference.

Dressed in our Santa suits, we’ll be dashing to raise vital funds for Leeds General Infirmary’s Neonatal Unit, helping patients, families, and NHS staff during the Christmas season.

Why do we want to fundraise for neonates?

For those that know us, know our cheeky little man, who spent his first two weeks of life in LGI’s Neonatal unit. -And for those who don’t, there’s a picture of him below! After 3 losses, we were so excited to welcome our rainbow boy but were met with complications just 6 hours before discharge to come home. We found out that Koa had a condition called duodenal atresia and had to be transferred immediately to LGI with Dad, whilst I stayed in a separate hospital until the following day. Koa underwent his major surgery at just 4 days old, conducted by Dr Jonathan Sutcliffe and anaesthetist Rory (who were absolutely incredible!!) and then was transferred again to the neonatal unit shortly after. All of the nurses, doctors, play team, outreach nurses and consultants in the neonatal unit were such an important part of our journey and without them fixing our little man, and every complication we had, we don’t know how different things would be now. We will forever be in debt to the neonatal team for everything they did for Koa, big sister Martha, Dad, and I. We never expected for our little boy to spend time on the neonatal unit and for the first time he and his sister met to be on a ward full of machines, wires, beeps and strangers- that soon became Koko’s neonatal friends. We never expected our first newborn memories to be made in a hospital, or our first Christmas experience of a family of 4 to be here either. But as odd as it sounds, they are some of the best memories we’ll have together. Without donations and fundraising, these things would never have been possible. We wouldn’t have been able to do something just as simple as Koa’s footprints, or for him and Martha to have an amazing Christmas visit and gifts from Leeds Rhinos rugby team on the ward, or for Martha to have colouring pencils and activities to do when visiting, or for the parents to have tea, coffee and biscuits in the family room. And obviously, most importantly, we wouldn’t have had the fantastic care we received by everybody there. We could not have wished for a better experience in a dark time, and that’s down to the absolutely incredible neonatal unit. We are so thankful as a family, and fundraising for you is the least we can do for saving our little boy.

Every donation brings comfort and care when it’s needed most. Please support our page and help us make this Christmas brighter for Leeds! 🎅❤️