I am running the 2027 London Marathon to raise money for Bliss in recognition of their lifesaving research into the care and support of babies and families born prematurely.

On the 10th of February, following an emergency ambulance transfer from Telford to Swansea’s Intensive care facility, our son Arthur was born via emergency csection at only 26 weeks gestational age, weighing just 2lbs and 1oz or roughly the same as a bag of sugar.

Before Arthur’s birth, Charlotte and I had a number of counselling conversations with NHS staff who prepared us for the worst case eventualities, all of which your brain chooses to ignore in the hope that everything will be ok.

Our first cuddles with Arthur were insulated by plastic bags to keep him warm and tangled by breathing apparatus to support his immature lungs, but his strong beating heart and tiny hands clenched around our fingers were his way of telling us that all would be fine.

Arthur went on to spend 71 days in hospital care before being discharged at just 36 weeks gestational age. Those 10 weeks were the toughest of mine and Charlottes lives, but in a way we are grateful for the extra time we got to spend with our Son and watch him grow and develop on our chests and in his incubator with the help and support of the incredible Nurses and Dr’s at both Singleton and Telford hospital.

At the time of writing this, Arthur is 8 weeks corrected or 5 months old. He is a social smiler who is amazed by bright lights and blue sky's, kicks away at his playmat piano and loves his nursery rhymes. Arthur has his whole life ahead of him and we are so grateful and proud to be his parents. He is our little miracle.

So why run for Bliss? Bliss are the leading UK charity for babies born premature or sick. Their research into family led care allowed Charlotte and I to hold, feed, change and bathe Arthur from Day 1 of his life. Bliss also support families through the emotional struggle of NICU, and for me particularly the support of counselling pre and post Arthur’s birth has been invaluable. 1 in 4 Dads on NICU suffer PTSD from what they see on their wards.

Bliss rely solely on donations to fund their work, and without public help they wouldn’t be able to reach the 90,000 babies needing neonatal care each year.

By sponsoring me, your donation to Bliss will drive improvements in neonatal care, to ensure that the needs of babies are at the heart of policy and planning for the future, and to provide information and support to all families with a baby born premature or sick.

Thank you for your support.

Tom, Charlotte and Arthur x