First Touch is the charity of St George's neonatal unit. Each year the unit cares for over 600 sick and premature babies.

As many of you will know my Wife Hannah has worked at St Georges Hospital for nearly a year. Since Hannah has joined St Georges I have been given an insight into the wonderful work they do for all of the very very sick babies and without the support of First Touch being given to both the families and the staff many of the babies may not have had the start to their very difficult lives that they have enjoyed.

I have chosen to run this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon and the west London 10k in support of First touch as not all the money raised will go to equipment as detailed below.

Hannah has often spoken about the little touches that first touch have done for the babies such as Easter and Christmas presents, Babies first books, fresh bread and milk every day, tea and coffee for the parents and staff and even laying on some Christmas treats for the staff on Christmas day.

Without the support of First Touch the neonatal units at St Georges would be not be able to offer the fantastic 1st class care it delivers 365 days a year.

The majority of money raised is spent on equipment such as incubators, ventilators, diagnostic equipment and monitors but they also fund specialist nurse development and offer support of families through their welfare fund and by funding a specialist nurse to work with the families and help them to be more involved in their baby's care.

Here Jack's mum, Sarah, talks about the difference that First Touch made to her family's experience of having a baby in the nnu: “Our baby Jack was born at St Georges on 2nd September 2014. Even though we knew he had bowel atresia and would need surgery, nothing could prepare us for the truly traumatic time ahead. All the nurses, consultants and surgeons are amazing. First Touch help provide the neo natal unit with all the state of the art equipment and put so much work and energy into this unit; they are fantastic and very inspiring. For that I'm extremely grateful for everyone’s time and effort. Keep up the good work all at First Touch!”