Annesley: Battling baby Ebony inspires charity trip

Craig Stinson, 37, will walk to King’s Mill Hospital and continue to Nottingham City, the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, Royal Derby and Chesterfield Royal, before returning home.

Along the way he plans to distribute toys, hats, clothing and blankets to the neonatal units at each facility.

Craig has taken up the challenge as way of thanks for the care daughter Ebony, now two, received when born 14 weeks premature and weighing just 1.1 pounds.

His trip will coincide with World Prematurity Day, November 17, and he will be joined by walkers representing other children’s charities.

“When Ebony was first born it was obviously a very difficult time and the staff at the neonatal unit in Derby made it that little bit better.

“They do such fantastic work in very hard circumstances and go about it with a smile on their faces, yet they never ask for anything. They were always there to offer support.

“Ebony spent four months there and while she has some catching up to do, she is now doing fine.

“I just want to do something to say thank you.”

One in nine babies are born prematurely in the UK.

Craig has already completed the great North Run and London Marathon to raise money for charity.

He added: “I was originally going to run the route as a quad marathon, but I injured my knee earlier this year.

“It is going to be hard in terms of the fatigue, but I will remember why I am doing it if they going gets tough.

“It will also help that there will be other charity walkers joining me on the route and we can help each other along.”

If you can donate items, email Craig at: [email protected]