18 years ago, on 31 March 2007, I was very fortunate to be supported by the NICU at Sheffield Hospital when my twin daughters decided to arrive 7 1/2 weeks early! I am incredibly grateful for the care and support of the NICU, and have also been looking for a way to celebrate my daughters' 18th birthdays and do something significant, so when I saw Luke Horton's post about raising money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - I thought it was a great idea (not sure I will still be thinking that three hours in still walking up a massive incline!!! :) ).

But when your babies are so tiny, and in need of so much care, the support you receive is amazing, and to be able to stay in one of the family rooms at the hospital is priceless. When the girls were well enough to be moved from their incubators into cots, they found a cot big enough so they could be together - the only downside to that was, with little wriggling arms, they kept accidentally pulling each other's feeding tubes out!!!

Any amount you would like to sponsor me would be gratefully received.

THANK YOU xxx

See Luke's Story below and photos of my girls - Jess and Eve :)

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We’ve embarked on a mission to raise funds for Sheffield Hospitals Charity, with a particular focus on supporting NICU at Jessops. NICU, or the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is where our daughter Elodie received exceptional care immediately after her birth. It’s a special unit that looks after sick and premature babies born in Sheffield, as well as those transferred from other hospitals in need of their specialised expertise.

Both my partner and I relied heavily on the NICU during those early days of Elodie’s life, and we are forever grateful for the support and care they provided. Elodie couldn't breathe sufficiently on her own and we felt helpless. We never expected that she would need this kind of care. Thanks to their dedication, Elodie has since overcome her initial struggles and is thriving. The experience of seeing such professionalism, compassion, and skill firsthand has had a profound impact on us.

Now, we want to give back. Our goal is to help ensure that Sheffield Hospitals Charity can continue to support NICU with things like family accommodation so new parents can be near their poorly baby, providing round the clock refreshments for families, funding a family care nurse to give vital support and parent packs with some much needed essentials. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go a long way in supporting the brilliant work they do in helping families like us.

Thank you!