I’ll be running the Hampton Court Palace Half Marathon to raise funds for Little Stars, the neonatal charity at Frimley Park Hospital that supports premature and sick babies and their families.

This charity means so much to me personally, as they were there for my sister and brother-in-law when my nephew, Jude, was born and needed intensive care in the NNU for the first 10 days of his life.

The staff not only do an incredible job caring for the babies, they also provide vital emotional and practical support to the family during a very scary time.

The team is exceptional at offering specialist advice around all aspects of the baby’s care, ensuring parents feel involved and in charge of their baby’s wellbeing. Whilst also offering support such as discounts on hospital meals, covering parking costs, family rooms and much more. They even have a special video update service to keep parents connected when they can't be by their baby's side. This kind of support eases the stress families are facing.

Right now, Little Stars is raising funds to purchase specialist medical equipment and improve the unit to create a more welcoming and relaxing environment for families. It might sound small, but even funding something as simple as comfortable seating or pull-out beds will make a huge difference for parents who spend hours or even days by their baby's side. My brother-in-law Bill would definitely agree, having spent every night on the ward on a pull-out bed!

In honour of the amazing care Jude and my family received, I’m running this race to give back to Little Stars, and I’d be so grateful for any support or donations you can offer. Thank you!