Every day, babies are born too soon, too small, or with complications. In 2021, my son was born prematurely and spent 7 weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at NNUH, where their incredible team saved his life and we were able to bring him home. Although, devastatingly, this isn’t the case for all families.

I’m doing this in support of the amazing team at NICU — to help purchase life-saving equipment and to provide supplies that support families who may also find themselves sitting next to an incubator, praying for a miracle.

This is why I’m taking on the “Paddling for Preemies” challenge completely out of my comfort zone. I’ll be spending 3 days on the Norfolk Broads, kayaking approximately 90km. My route starts in Coltishall; from there I’ll travel down the River Bure all the way to Great Yarmouth, face the challenge of crossing Breydon Water, and then continue along the River Yare, finishing in Norwich!

I’m not a kayaker. In fact, I’ve only ever kayaked for about an hour — and that was for a pub lunch! Starting this challenge, I’m overweight and unfit. This is going to take a complete transformation of my body, my mind, and my lifestyle over the next 20 weeks of training.

I will never be able to repay what the incredible team at NICU did for my family during that time. The preemie warriors fight every single day, and the staff care for them around the clock. Now it’s my turn to fight for them.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real and lasting impact for babies and their families.

Please support if you can — together, we can make a difference.