I'm thrilled to announce that my son Rhys and I will be taking a leap for a cause that's very close to our hearts. On August 24th, 2024, we will be doing a 15,000ft skydive to raise funds for a brave little girl named Robyn, who has just celebrated her first birthday but is still fighting every day in the hospital. Here is her story:

Robyn entered this world on March 8, 2023, far earlier than expected. Her due date was July 3, 2023, but she was born at just 23 weeks and 2 days, weighing a mere 328 grams (11 ounces). Robyn is the tiniest baby ever born in Wales, a testament to her extraordinary resilience.

Her journey began with a complication known as Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM), detected during a routine 20-week anomaly scan. Robyn's parents were informed that there was a significant risk of preterm labor, and her mother was immediately admitted to the hospital and placed on bed rest. Despite the best efforts to delay her birth, Robyn arrived three weeks and two days later, against all odds.

Born breech, Robyn's tiny body was delivered before her head, and a team of doctors worked swiftly to intubate her and place her in a sandwich bag to maintain her body heat. She was incredibly small, fitting into the palm of her parents' hands, and her survival was uncertain.

Robyn's early days were fraught with challenges. She was placed on a ventilator to assist her breathing, treated for jaundice under phototherapy lamps, and had numerous lines and cannulas inserted to deliver fluids and medication. Her translucent skin and tiny fingernail-sized hands were delicate and vulnerable.

Despite her fragile state, Robyn proved to be a warrior. She developed sepsis but responded to antibiotics, though her minuscule veins made treatment difficult. Over the following weeks and months, she underwent 16 blood transfusions, battled countless infections, endured lumbar punctures, blood tests, EEGs, ECGs, and cerebral function monitoring following a seizure. Ventilator trials were challenging due to her size, and she could not wear clothes until she was three months old.

Three months after her birth, Robyn finally reached 1kg. Gradually, she progressed off the ventilator and began breathing on her own. However, an MRI scan revealed that she suffered from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) at birth, resulting in severe brain damage. Her future development is uncertain, with likely impairments in sight and mobility.

As parents, Robyn's mom and dad are heartbroken but fiercely determined to give her the best chance possible. Robyn is their tiny warrior, having overcome numerous obstacles already. They believe that with the right therapies and treatments, her quality of life can improve.

Recently, after 230 days in the NICU, Robyn moved to the pediatric unit for a sleep study, where it was discovered she has obstructive apnea and dystonia, causing her vocal cords to clamp shut. She is currently in the pediatric intensive care unit receiving medication to manage these conditions. If successful, the family hopes to finally bring Robyn home.

This skydive is dedicated to Robyn and her incredible journey. Please join Rhys and me in supporting her and her family by donating whatever you can. Every contribution brings them one step closer to the therapies and treatments Robyn needs. Let's give this little warrior the fighting chance she deserves.

Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can make a difference in Robyn's life.