On July 4th 2022, our youngest son made his entrance into this world, 2 months earlier than expected. As such, our NICU journey at Derriford Hospital began. 

For those unaware, The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides specialist medical intensive care treatment for extremely preterm and sick newborn babies in the South West Peninsula, that is, Exeter, Torbay, Barnstaple, Truro and Plymouth.

From the get-go, we couldn't have felt more supported. The Consultants, Nurses, Doctors, Ward Managers, EVERYONE, was amazing. What was clearly a highly anxious time, was made so much more manageable by the way the staff communicated with us, the demeanour they carried, the clarity they provided at each and every medical stage and most importantly, the way they cared so deeply about our son, and of course, many more sick and preterm babies.

The NICU is such an unexpected environment and in an instant, your whole world can change. To have the trained staff readily available 24/7 is invaluable. 

So, we are training for 2 separate events this year:

• Dave is going to be taking on the Wye Valley Trail Marathon on Saturday 22nd April - Set in Symonds Yat, there will be a total elevation gain of 5,344ft as well as the already tough endurance of running 26.2 miles  
• I have decided to take part in the National Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday 13^th May - climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. The total walking distance is 23 miles, and the total ascent is 10,052ft!

We have set a joint target of £2,000 and it would blow our minds if we could hit this over the next few months. Thank you so so much in advance 😊

The NICU saved our sons life, and for that, we will be eternally grateful.