Meet Oscar, little Ozzy, my Nephew, our family miracle!  He's with us because of the incredible team of Doctors, Nurses and all the support staff at the BRI Neonatal unit that nurtured him and provided everything Ozzy needed for him to develop and grow - after all he was born 6 months ago at just 25 weeks - a pound and a half - not even the weight of a bag of sugar!  He was given the absolute best chance of life.

The even bigger surprise is that his Mum only knew she was expecting for just 3 weeks prior, after trying for Ozzy for a long time..  Go into lock down, feel unwell, get checked out, find out your 23 weeks pregnant, go into premature labour and then pray pray pray that your dream pulls through.  Imagine that level of shock, anxiety, excitement and nerves..  I can't.?

Ever since then there has been a worry every minute, a scare every day, all with a heavy dose of weekly fear.  All the while hope has constantly been by his side, care has been looking over him and support has been like a blanket around them, allowing them to concentrate on caring, adjusting preparing and loving Oscar to the full.

Oscar has been able to go home after more than 3 months and just before his actual due date!!!  That smile in the picture is testament to the teams of truly dedicated folk at Bradford Royal Infirmary's Neonatal Unit, they deserve so much in return.

Why Long Distance Love - Because I've never met Oscar, not yet, not able to visit him in hospital, or go to his home and meet my nephew or support his mum and dad for all the frustrating 2020 reasons.  

What I can do is try and support these miracle workers, the brand new parents, the doctors, nurses and indeed all the staff who perform these amazing feats. 

I've never done anything like this, but the one thing we can do is walk outside, so I'm going to walk, a long long way, with my Son.  Over 190 miles, from Coast to Coast following Wainwright's original route. Through the fells and mountains of Cumbria, over The Dales and down to the North York Moors to raise a little bit of money to help build better and bigger facilities for parents and family so they can be all be at the feet of their little miracles 24 hours a day.

We'll be setting off from the Cumbrian coast on 8th May 2021, with goal of arriving at the North Yorkshire shore on 21st May, Oscar's 1st birthday. ( COVID amendment required.  Now departing on the 21st  May arriving on the 3rd June.  Oscar will be waving us off on his birthday)

Given the usual 2021 reasons, the planned departure date is now not possible, so we've now decided to set off on Oscar's 1st Birthday instead of arriving on the big day.

Please give generously.. some brothers do have 'em..