So in 2016 I joined the Torbay running clubs, slippers to trainers group Needles to say I got the running bug and go as much as I can. But this year I wanted to challenge myself and my body by running a 5K in July a 10k in August, my first half marathon in October Exeter and a 10 miler in November. But I also have a place in the group B strep support charity in the 2018 London Marathon which is the main event.
The reason for choosing this charity is that it supports families that are going or have gone through what Jackie and I did in 2014 when our beautiful daughter was born. Those who know Jackie & I, know that our two babies are our world and more. Even more so having to go through all the IVF and many different drugs to help us be lucky enough to have children.
So when Bethany was born she had been infected with the infection known as group B strep which can kill new borns and also cause meningitis which also kills. We spent a week or so in the special care baby unit in Torbay and its only down to the love, care and hard work of those amazing people in SCBU that we were sent home as a family of 3. Bethany is now 3 and is just the most amazing, loving,funny and cheeky little person I know. She now has the responsibility of being a big sister with her little brother James in toe.
I want to target raising £3000 plus over all these runs leading up to London marathon next year.
For those that have known me before I became a Dad and weighed a little more than the arravage bear you know you would of fallen off your chair laughing if I said I was running in any type of run. So
I ask you to support a cause that needs all the help to raise awareness of this horrible infection which can cause such pain to such harmless little people. As you see from the picture I have used of Bethany in the hospital no child should be seen like this.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please dig deep to support a very worthy cause.
See the detail below on Group B Strep support
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Group B Streptococcus is the UK's most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies and of meningitis in babies under age 3 months.
On average in the UK, at least
-two babies a day develop a group B Strep infection
-one baby a week dies from their GBS infection, and
-one baby a week survives with long-term disabilities – physical, mental or both.
Yet most group B Strep infections are preventable. Group B Strep Support informs families & health professionals about group B Strep to save tiny lives.