As a team we are taking on the Great Manchester half marathon in memory of Dottie & Poppy Monk born sleeping on 13.10.19. 

Dottie & Poppy were identical twins who contracted a very rare condition called Twin to Twin Transfusion syndrome, Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 percent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins). TTTS can also occur in triplet or higher order pregnancies with monochorionic twins. 

Dottie & Poppy had a laser procedure to try and give them the chance to survive but even though the procedure was successful Poppy passed a few hours after the procedure. Dottie was a little fighter and battled on for another 2 weeks before losing her battle and being born in her sisters arms on 13.10.19. 

We are all taking on this challenge in memory of the twins Dottie & Poppy. 

Team Poppy & Dottie

Olly the twins dad has run a half marathon before and is being joined by his friends or northern family as he calls them in memory of his and his wife’s twins. The half is a challenge but to make it a little harder he will line up and complete the 10k race on the same day.    

Kirsty has completed 10k races in the past but has never attempted a half marathon but is determined complete it in memory of her god children. Kirsty and her Husband Dean have supported both Olly & Katie during the pregnancy and since the twins were born.

Alex have never run before not even for a bus but is up for the challenge of the half marathon to remember the twins and to continue being an amazing support to both Olly & Katie. 

Howi Olly’s best friend from uni will be travelling up from the midlands to take part in the half marathon. Alongside his wife Laura they have been with Olly and Katie every step of the way at the end of the phone and even offering Olly a bed when they had to travel down to Birmingham for the laser procedure.

Zoe has become a seasoned runner unlike the rest of the team and after completing a half marathon on the day the twins came into the world sleeping she has truly caught the running bug. Zoe has been and continues to provide fantastic support to both Olly & Katie.  Like Olly her race wont finish at the end of the half as she will join him for the 10k just a few hours later.

Ben or Uncle Ben as he would have been known by the girls is going to join his brother on the start line of the 10k running in memory of his nieces and in support of his brother and sister-in-law. 

Dom or Uncle Dom isn’t ready for a half marathon but is going to line up alongside his brothers on the start line of the 10k in memory of his nieces and in support of his brother and sister-in-law.

Sian is joining the team for the 10k as she hates running well apart from running the best salon West Didsbury. One of Olly & Katie’s best friends since moving up to Manchester and having worked on events from Newquay to Croatia alongside Olly she is another fantastic person to join the team.

We have all chosen to run for Twins Trust to help them fund more research into Twin to Twin transfusion syndrome and so they can continue there fantastic bereavement support. 

By 2022 Twins trust have set the following objectives:

• Save 580 babies lives
• Stop 1,100 babies needing neonatal care
• Reduce 8,300 expectant parents’ anxiety and prevent up to 800 from developing PND
• Support 7,500 concerned or upset parents
• Be the first place our families go to for information

Team Poppy & Dottie are proud to be helping them in achieving these objectives. 

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.