This August, I am running the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in aid of TinyLife.
Our youngest son Jack was born prematurely at 28 weeks + 5 days, after I was diagnosed with PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes) at 25 weeks + 6 days.
Jack spent the first 7 weeks of his life between The Ulster Hospital NICU and SCBU, where he was cared for by the most amazing team of healthcare professionals, to whom we are eternally grateful. With their expert care, he continued to thrive until he was discharged home to meet his big brother Ben!
From our time in The Ulster Hospital, TinyLife has continued to support us every step of the way – from their breast pump loan service during and after admission, to their baby massage classes, to their monthly ‘TinyTime’ support group, to the developmental milestones programme in which Jack was enrolled – TinyLife has become part of our extended family!
They have supported Jack, and our family, to survive and to thrive. They have been nothing short of a lifeline.
TinyLife has connected me with other mums who went through their own difficult journeys and who have helped to support me through mine. They’ve given me (and Jack!) some friends for life.
Jack has continued to thrive and has grown into a happy, energetic and clever little boy who loves to keep us on our toes!
We are so fortunate as a family to have celebrated his second birthday in February of this year, and are continuously reminded of how far he has come in life. We are so proud of him, and his big brother Ben, on a daily basis.
So how did we arrive at the half marathon?! Running has never been an interest of mine, and in fact nor has exercise in general, if I’m honest…! I was recently recruited to take part in the Belfast Marathon Relay through work, and that was the start of it!
When I completed my leg of the relay, I knew I could do more – and when I discovered that I could help raise some valuable funds for TinyLife by running a little further, I knew it had to be done! So here we are, counting down the days to an event I’d never have dreamt of entering, in the knowledge that I still have a long way to go!
Please join me in raising awareness and much-needed funds for TinyLife, so that they might continue to support families of babies who are born too soon, too small, and too sick.
Thank you, TinyLife!
