As my beloved SCBU crew approach their 4 birthdays (see photo) and Holly turns 1, my experience of parenthood is best summarised: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Jacob was 7 weeks premature leading to a month of willing this precious, fragile little person to grow against a backdrop of wires, bleeps, beeps and alarms. The agony of not being able to hold your new-born baby, and the infrequent joy of being handed this tiny, warm, bundle of wires and monitors will never be forgotten.

Holly too, has had her own equally intense start to life which mercifully has ended to leave her a thriving if stubborn and strong-willed young lady. (Where does she get that from?)

So many of you appreciate the hours spent in hospitals, reading leaflets, researching medical journals and the waiting, waiting, waiting, with other anguished parents, powerless and desperate to help their child. My family, friends and I owe so much to hospital staff, particularly community and SCBU nurses, and have benefitted directly from charities like Scoo-B-Doo, Bliss, and the Pied Piper appeal.

So 4 years on and (4 stone lighter!), I’m donning my running shoes for the Bath Half. In doing it, I’m closing this chapter of my life and just taking the positives over that finish line with me.

Make no mistake, this is a tough challenge for me. After all, “we dwarves are natural sprinters!”

Thanks for your support xxx