Why BIBS you ask? Because I owe a debt of gratitude to the staff of the Buscot Ward that cards and tins of chocolate will never fully be able to pay. However, supporting the charity that provides life saving equipment and helps fund services to the staff and parents of the sick and premature babies on the Ward I hop can go a little further towards repaying that debt.

Pippa's story  As many of you who know my little family will be aware, Pippa was born just 3 weeks after we moved to the Middle East. She was 3 months early, and at 28+3 weeks gestation and only weighing 1.18kgs (or 2lbs 9ozs) it was one of the most petrifying times of my life. Thankfully she remembers none of it. I however remember it all.  Even 9 years on the memories, the smells, the emotions, they all come flooding back in whenever I have to open the metaphorical box that stores them all and take a peak inside. The terror of knowing how close I came to losing my child will never leave me.

She was poorly. Very, very poorly and the hospital she was cared for in the Middle East saved her life more than once. However, she needed to come home as her prognosis was not a kind one and so after 6 stressful and scary weeks Pippa flew home on the back of an Oman Air commercial flight to Heathrow in one of the most amazing pieces of kit I've ever seen: a travel incubator! In fact the flight home was the first time her big brother Luke got to meet his sister - not a conventional introduction I'm sure you will agree! However we made it and landed at Heathrow on a warm summers night in late July 2013.

Arriving home Pippa arrived at the Royal Berks first and I remember the lift up to the top floor of the Maternity Block just carried on forever, it just wouldn't move fast enough and I needed to know she was alright. From the very moment we were buzzed through and I stepped onto the Buscot Ward something changed - for the first time in 6 weeks I didn't feel alone. For the first time in 6 weeks I felt she was finally safe. For the first time in 6 weeks I felt I could finally breathe. That overwhelming sense of relief has no price tag on it - it cannot be bought - and it was only possible because of the doctors and nurses who swept her up and gave her the care she needed, but also the care I needed too.

She spent another 7 weeks in the Buscot Ward and they cared for my baby girl when I couldn't be there - which was too often whilst caring for my son. But I knew she was safe and that they would take care of her and watch over her whilst I couldn't. And in time, after a few bumpy twists in our journey, they gave me back my baby girl and I can never thank them enough for that miracle.

The challenge This isn't the first physical challenge I've undertaken for the charity - my first was the Reading Half back in 2014 and the second the RideLondon 100 in 2018 - but it is certainly the one that is closest to my heart. I took up running to cope with the emotional tornado that having a premature baby creates. And running and the people it has brought into my world have supported me through multiple life challenges ever since - a marriage ending and both my parents sadly passing away to name perhaps the biggest... For any runner the London Marathon is iconic and I will proudly run every step of the 26.2 miles wearing my BIBS vest with more pride than you could ever imagine. I imagine there will be tears...

The serious bit Well done if you have made it this far! It would mean the world to me to try and raise as much money as possible for the charity and I know times are tough at the moment but anything anyone can spare would be gratefully appreciated - it would mean so very much to me personally and I know all of the staff at the charity and the Ward will be forever thankful to you too.

The small print Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 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.