UPDATE

Just to let you know that after a gruelling personal best of 4hrs 24 mins I am pleased to say that I successfully completed the London Marathon. The crowds, the cheers, the costumes and thankfully the finish line are images that remain and will do so for some time yet. Many thanks to all for your encouragement and support. 

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Our daughter Amelie Grace was born on 5th March 2003, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, 6 weeks prematurely at a gestation of 34 weeks.

Like Amelie, 70,000 children born each year in the United Kingdom require some sort of special care at birth. Of the 700,000 babies born annually 14,000 will need the highest level of neonatal care.

I will be running 26.2 miles in the London marathon this year. We are attempting to raise a minimum of £2300 for BLISS, The Premature Baby Charity. BLISS is dedicated to ensuring that more babies born prematurely or sick at birth survive, and that each one has the best possible quality of life.

BLISS provides:

*Life saving equipment (it is estimated that up to two thirds of all equipment in neonatal units is donated by charity)

*Funds practical and clinical research

*Supports training of health professionals

*Provides information and support for families of premature babies

*Campaigns for improved services nationally By having immediate care at birth lives are being saved and some future problems such as handicap and disability are alleviated or avoided altogether.

Please could you support me and help make a difference to the lives of babies like Amelie by making a pledge to BLISS today? BLISS will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thank you. Adam x