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My son Jude had a difficult journey into this world, but the charity, The Sick Children's Trust, played a huge part and in honour of them, and the support they gave me and my family I'll be recreating Judes Journey by riding from Broomfield Hospital Chelmsford to The Rosie in Cambridge.

A brief story of Judes journey...

After my wife Faith was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, waters breaking 10 weeks early, we knew this wasn't going to be a straight forward birth like our daughters. This followed with Faith going into labour 6 weeks early...

After a rushed trip to Broomfield our son, Jude Arthur Eddleston was born on June 5th.

He came into this world crying but this didn't last long and was rushed into intensive care. The amazing staff did all they could for Jude but was on 100% life support and needed to be transferred to the Rosie for specialist treatment.

After little to no sleep in the last 24 hours, I met Jude again in Cambridge. Stressed, bewildered, and shattered I was offered somewhere to rest my head. This offer was from The Sick Children's Trust...

They offer parents of sick children a home from home at The Rosie which is right beneath the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Expecting a ward bed at best, I was in for a big surprise. I essentially had my own apartment. Two comfy single beds, en-suite, TV and a phone to the ward to check in on Jude at any time. I also had a communal living room, utility room and kitchen with food provided.

Being right beneath NICU, I was able to visit Jude within seconds and provide Faith and my family valuable updates.

During my stay, I was back and forth delivering milk from Faith, grabbing supplies and checking in with my daughter. Knowing I had somewhere to rest and be by Judes side day and night was a blessing and something I will be ever thankful for.

During my stay, I noticed a poster which said how much it costs the charity to home a family per day, week, month, and this really resonated with me, hence why I have taken it upon myself to give back what the charity has given to me by organising this bike ride to recreate Judes journey.

When Jude was discharged from the Rosie, he spent a further 4 days at Broomfield before going home. Unfortunately, Jude did need to go back to hospital for a further 4 days but I’m pleased to say at 5 and a half months old he is doing super and our daughter Maeve couldn’t be happier to have a healthy little brother.

We will be ever thankful to The Sick Children's Trust, the PaNDR unit who transported Jude and the NHS who helped us on our journey, and that you never know these people, services and charities exist until you need them.....

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