From the 24th September to the 27th September I, along with friends and family (Ross Murray & Ian Whiteford), will be cycling the length of Scotland, from John O' Groats to Earlston (5 miles for every day Angus was in Wishaw. (Approx 425 miles) to raise funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospital Wishaw.

Angus was due on 28th March 2020 but the week before Christmas Katie went into premature labour and was urgently transferred from the Borders General Hospital to Wishaw. When we arrived in Wishaw in the early hours of the morning we had no idea that we would be staying there for the next 3 months! On the 23rd December Angus arrived, 14 weeks premature and weighing only 2lb 2oz and was quickly rushed to the NICU. The staff in the NICU were a great support to us and took the time to explain every aspect of his care. It was a surreal experience at first, seeing him in the incubator on full ventilatory support and all the lines from the syringe drivers going into him. Even now looking at the photo above I find it unbelievable that they can connect so many things to such a small baby!

Initially Angus made steady progress but on New years Day took a turn for the worse. The days that followed were very tough and his chances of survival were constantly in the balance. He pulled through thanks to the incredible care he received there. Throughout his stay, Angus liked to keep the staff on their toes. He required several blood transfusions and at one point he was even being monitored constantly by two members of staff due to the intensity of the care he required.

Angus is still on oxygen support 24 hours a day but he has been progressing well and apart from looking a bit small for an 8 month old baby is doing well considering the start he had in life.

I wouldn't know where to start in trying to thank all the NICU staff that looked after Angus (and the rest of us!) but hopefully raising some money that they can use to purchase essential equipment or items that can be used to help other families that go through the same journey in the future can help to repay that gratitude.

***UPDATE***

In order to comply with current restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we have altered our travel and accommodation plans to ensure that we comply with current guidelines. Our overnight stays will be made in individual rooms and we are following guidance from the Transport Scotland website for our journey up to our start point.