In early 2014 Chris and Lorien were delighted to learn that they were to become the parents of identical twin girls. At a routine scan in early September, however, hospital staff had to deliver the devastating news that they were unable to find a heartbeat for the smaller of the babies, Cerys; Lorien had to have an emergency caesarian section in order to save the second baby, Lea. The treatment at the Wexham Park Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) saved Lea's life.

On Sunday 12th April a 30-strong group of family and friends will be walking from Ealing to Wexham Park Hospital, a route of just over 20 miles, in order to raise money for the Wexham Park SCBU in thanks for Lea, and in memory of Cerys.

Lea was born on 3rd September, 6 weeks early, weighing just 5lb 4oz. As a premature baby her lungs hadn't fully developed and so she required assistance breathing via a ventilator for the first few days of her life, along with dealing with the effects of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) which had caused Cerys' death in utero. 

Thankfully for Chris, Lorien and their concerned friends and family, the treatment that Lea received during her 17 days in the Wexham Park SCBU was second to none. 

Those of us walking on 12th April, the friends, family and colleagues of both Lorien and Chris, are looking to raise a total of £5,000 partly as a huge thank-you to the staff at Wexham Park SCBU for their exceptional care and support at a hugely difficult time, but also so that other babies and their families will continue to benefit from their work in the future. The walk will start at the offices of Ealing Council, Chris and Lorien's workplace, and finish at the hospital, where the staff will be running some further fundraising activities on the day. 

Any donation, large or small, towards the cause is greatly appreciated, and if you are a UK tax payer please tick the box marked 'gift aid', to boost your donation amount. 

The Wexham Park SCBU is run by the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Charity number 1050362).