On the 31st July 2021 we will be taking on the challenge of a 5k outdoor Inflatable Obstacle Course as a team of 12 to raise money for the Tiny Toes charity, please read our story below as to why this charity holds a place close to our hearts.

On the 18th of February 2021 our little Zachary was born. He weighed just 2lb 12oz and arrived at 28 weeks gestation and needed to stay under the care of the N.I.C.U (Neonatal Intesive Care Unit) at the William Harvey Hospital.

The birth was quick but instead of getting that first skin to skin cuddle you would normally get with your newborn once they arrive, our little boy was instantly taken away by the neonatal team for care and it took over 7 hours until we were able to finally meet him. Nothing can prepare you for this feeling of your baby being taken away and as a couple we held onto each other and tried to absorb what had actually happened and wondered if our little man was going to survive.

Luckily, Zachary is currently approaching 9 weeks old and although he is still under the care of N.I.C.U he is steadily making progress forward. However, we have faced our fair share of scares and problems along the way so far. Our little man has had brain scans, heart scans, fought off suspected sepsis twice, xrays, numerous blood gas tests, I.V drips, multiple blood transfusions, had plenty of canulars, numerous blood tests, had regular heart rate drop episodes, oxygen saturation drop episodes, nebulisers and is still currently on his ventilator machine for the Cpap pressure - he really has had a journey so far and experienced so much in his little life already!

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, after that first initial visit to Zachary we were not allowed into the unit together (until restrictions changed on the 13th April 2021) and so that often meant we were to face stressful and often sad or scary news on our own. The staff at N.I.C.U at the William Harvey became like a family and have always been there from day one to provide support, making the solo visits more comfortable and for that alone, we will always be grateful. Their support and company during what has been the hardest, most stressful and definitely most worrying time of our lives has been so valuable for us and his journey is not over yet!

Although Zachary is still yet to have a set date that he is going to be able to come home, he is slowly starting to progress forward and so he will still remain under the care of the consultants, doctors and nurses at N.I.C.U for now. The team are extremely caring and informative and we will forever feel in their debt for keeping our little Zac alive and helping him push through these first few months of life, when he should still be developing in mummy's tummy! The hardest thing is having to say goodbye and walk out each day, leaving Zachary behind and not having him home and around with us and his brother Arlo. Also that feeling of the first car journey home from hospital after having just given birth but not actually having our newborn sat in the back in their car seat will stay with us forever. However, the nurses treat Zachary with so much care that they take him on as their own and although it's the hardest thing to leave him, we always know he's under amazing care with his designated nurse and they often send us photos and videos that we can access from home that help bridge that gap and momentarily fill that missing void in your heart. Therefore, we would love to give something back to the team that help keep Zachary moving forward and make that moment of our family coming together and becoming a unit of 4 closer to reality.

Tiny toes is an amazing charity that helps support the work of N.I.C.U (Neonatal Intesive Care Unit) at the William Harvey Hospital and S.C.B.U (Special Care Baby Unit) at QEQM Hospital. Any money raised will go towards:
- Extra support with patient care and other services
- State of the art equipment or additional equipment not available through NHS funding
- Providing the best possible environments for patients, parents, staff and visitors.

We would be grateful and thankful for anything you may wish to donate to this amazing charity that we hold close to our hearts.

The family team of 12 consists of - Thomas (dad), Joanna (mum), Steph, James, Bec, Joe, Frank, Janice, Greg, Damien, Josh and Sophie and together we hope to raise as much for Tiny Toes as we can.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any donation you may decide to make towards our fundraiser.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.