Run A Half Marathon And Help Save Premature Babies

By Sophie Smith on February 15, 2011 in Sport

If you’ve ever thought of running a half marathon, or need a great incentive to get fit, why not join my special team of runners to train and run the SMH Half Marathon on May 15 and help save premature babies at the Royal Hospital for Women (RHW).

I organise a team annually that raises funds for much needed life-saving equipment for critically ill babies in Intensive Care, in memory of my triplet sons who fought bravely for life in 2006. My little boys were born prematurely, weighing less than a kilo each. Huge efforts were made to save their lives, but tragically they did not survive – Henry lived for just one hour, Evan for ten days and Jasper for nine weeks.

Following the deaths of our sons, my husband Ash and I desperately wanted something to keep their memory alive so a trust fund was set up in their names at the RHW Foundation. We are honoured that this trust fund is a permanent memorial to our little boys, and are very proud that that our triplets’ legacy gives other premature babies a chance to live.

Each year since our little boys passed away I’ve organised teams to run in the SMH Half Marathon and I’ve been amazed by the support I’ve received. To date 492 people have run with me and over $400,000 has been raised for life-saving equipment for the 900 premature babies who are cared for at the hospital each year.

Our team in the half marathon this year is raising funds for neonatal monitors, which are vital to the specialised care of very sick and premature babies and are urgently needed in the hospital’s highest level of Intensive Care. These monitors continually check the blood pressure, heartbeat and oxygen levels of babies in humidicribs who need mechanical ventilation to survive.  Each monitor costs $25,000 and our team’s goal this year is to raise $100,000, which will buy four new monitors to help tiny babies like Henry, Jasper & Evan.

I’m hoping to gather over 200 runners this year, so please join my team! Apart from helping to save the tiniest and sickest babies in New South Wales, you will have a lot of fun too. Regular training sessions are provided free of charge on Sundays and Wednesdays as well as social get-togethers and a team after-party for survivors! You will also receive a free high quality team running singlet and cap donated by Running Bare.

There is no minimum amount you have to raise and you don’t have to be an elite athlete to join us. Simply dust off your trainers and join my team to get in shape for May 15.

To join my team, or find out more, please contact me at 0140 620 149 or henryjasperevan@gmail.com, or visit  www.henry-jasper-evan.memory-of.com.