In 2024, mine and Mat's lives changed in a matter of hours.

I woke up ready for a normal working day, and by that evening I had given birth. Our gorgeous son, Guy, was born prematurely at just 33 weeks – around two months early. He only weighed 4lb.

Guy spent the first 16 days of his life in the York Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). For most of that time he was tube fed while he grew stronger and learned to feed on his own. Every tiny milestone felt like a huge victory.

Although I was able to stay in hospital for the first five days after giving birth, I then had to go home while Guy remained in SCBU. Driving away from the hospital without my newborn baby was one of the most soul-destroying things I've ever had to do.

From then on, being by Guy’s side became my full-time job. I spent each day at the York Special Care Baby Unit with him until Mat arrived after work, where he balanced the challenges of becoming a new dad while saving his paternity leave for when Guy came home. It was such a difficult time for both of us - we knew he was in the safest possible hands, but nothing prepares you for the heartbreak of saying goodnight to your newborn and going home without them.

The incredible team at the York Special Care Baby Unit made an unimaginably difficult time bearable. They cared for Guy with such skill, compassion and dedication, but they also cared for me. They supported me through the shock and trauma of a premature birth, answered every question, celebrated every step forward, and even sent us photos overnight to reassure us when we couldn't be there. Their kindness is something I'll never forget.

Today, Guy is absolutely thriving, and I will forever be thankful of the care that gave him the best possible start.

That's why I'm taking on my biggest challenge yet: running my first ever marathon, the Altra York Marathon on Sunday 18th October 2026.

I'm raising money for the York Special Care Baby Unit to help support the incredible work they do and, hopefully, contribute towards making the unit an even more comfortable place for families. Having experienced first-hand how difficult it is to leave your newborn baby in hospital each night, I'd love to help fund improvements that make it easier for parents to stay close to their babies during those precious early days. Even something as simple as more comfortable overnight facilities could make an enormous difference to families going through the same experience we did.

This year, Guy turns two, so it feels fitting to set myself a fundraising target of £2,000. It would mean the world to us if we could reach that milestone as a way of saying thank you to the team who gave our little boy the very best start in life.

If you can spare anything at all, I'd be so grateful. Every donation, no matter how small, will help support babies, parents and the amazing staff who care for them during some of the most difficult days of their lives.