We (Abby & Dan) are walking 19K on Saturday 31st October for the Leo's 19 Challenge along with Edie's Auntie Sophie and Uncle Dave (Halloween fancy dress currently being discussed!). This is to raise money for Leo's Nurture Centre campaign. 

When our daughter Edie was born she suffered birth trauma which resulted in a 3 week neonatal stay. This came as a complete shock to us all. Edie was extremely poorly during this time and it has resulted in her requiring a lot of input from health professionals following discharge. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic this input has been significantly restricted. Leo’s supported us both through the neonatal journey and since then - and have been our only true support through this pandemic. As such we know have valuable the Nurture Centre would be to families like ours. This is both for the baby and the wider family as everyone is impacted. 

Leo's is a charity which supports the mental health, physical health and social well-being of families who have had a sick or premature baby in the North East of England. Their work spans across five neonatal units and in the community.They are a parent-led charity with extensive first-hand knowledge and experience of neonatal care, neonatal bereavement and paediatric care. The board of trustees combines neonatal parents with NHS professionals and lay members to ensure they offer well-rounded provisions for families.Due to COVID-19 families are increasingly isolated and the mental health of parents / carers and siblings is hitting crisis point, the neonatal children are struggling with their development, and families are in need now more than ever.A centre where families can access counselling, peer support, yoga, sign language, sensory sessions, educational sessions and a place to drop in, has never been more needed. Please help.