September Swim for SNUG

Earlier this year our little boy Hamish was born sleeping at 26 weeks. Our little family are heart broken that he can't be here with us, that he can't have cuddles with us or be bossed around by his big sister who was very much looking forward to playing with and caring for him.

Hamish's sister was also born early (at 29 weeks 6 days) she spent a long time in the local NNU and when we left hospital if was difficult to socialise in the usual children's groups due to the risks associated with her prematurity and the high level of germs. It was difficult not to feel isolated with the well meaning but difficult questions about her age, her size, her milestones.

SNUG are a local charity who helped to support me and continue to support many other families during their time on the neonatal unit and when they get to go home. They provide a safe environment for families to socialise on a regular basis, a lot of one to one support on the neonatal unit and they facilitate a social media page to build a safe and friendly community of families going through similar experiences.

Had Hamish been born in different circumstances even at 26 weeks he could have survived. We would have spent more time in the amazing care of the neonatal unit and been supported yet again by the great volunteers in SNUG.

So this September my sister Victoria Pritchard and I are swimming 4km in Wimbleball lake, Exmoor. In memory of Hamish, for a charity he didn't quite get to use but who would have been so valuable for him and were so for his sister.

I won't be thinking of Hamish's death as we swim (it is not yet something that motivates me) but I will be thinking of the difference he (with your help) can make to those families whose babies do live despite an early arrival.

Please help us achieve our target and help Hamish's (and many other babies) too short life have a positive impact for other families.

Thank you for reading this far!