On November 15, 2024, my whole life changed when my little boy, Jude, decided to make an early appearance at 28 + 4 weeks at Royal Derby Hospital. The care both Jude and I received in the Derby (and later at Burton’s NICU) was amazing, making what was a scary and traumatic experience a time I felt supported.

What made the real difference was the extras from the hospital charity, Friends of the Baby Unit. From surprising us with personalised Christmas decorations for Jude’s incubator so we could celebrate his first Christmas, to providing milestone cards and gifts on world book day, their donations helped make Jude feel special.

Aside from the day to day activities for Burton and Derby hospital, they are currently fundraising for a transport incubator which will transport premature or sick babies between hospitals across the East Midlands - usually in an emergency when the baby is born somewhere without the specialist neonatal care or transporting to a closer hospital (like Jude was transported to Burton before being discharged). Fortunately I was able to deliver at Derby hospital with the level 2 neonatal care needed for his gestation, otherwise I would’ve needed one critically. These surprisingly aren’t funded by the NHS and cost over £80k!

I’m hoping to run the Oxford Half Marathon (which will be a feat in itself within a year post-partum!) and raise some funds for this charity close to my heart 💙