A man who was born prematurely will be running the London Marathon to raise money for a charity that purchases special neonatal equipment for hospitals.
Ben Piper, 25, was born at 29 weeks in Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital weighing just 3lb 13oz.
When his mother arrived in the hospital, not expecting to deliver her baby 11 weeks early, it soon became apparent for her that she needed a caesarean.
After Mr Piper was born he was placed in the special care baby unit where he remained for the first six weeks of his life.
His progress relied heavily on the care he was given by staff on the unit as well as access to specialist neonatal equipment, much the same as the equipment funded by the charity New Life Special Care Babies which Mr Piper will be supporting when he runs the London Marathon.
Mr Piper said: “I am incredibly lucky to be able to raise money for the charity.
“All those years ago, another baby was born prematurely that very same night at 28 weeks but unfortunately didn’t survive.
“My parents and I are forever grateful for the special care I received.
“I am running the London Marathon so I can give back to Trevor and the team at New Life because without their hard work and extreme generosity, I may not have been here today.”
Mr Piper will be running his first-ever marathon in the capital this weekend, and he has already surpassed his fundraising target of £1,000, having raised £1,450.
To donate to his fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/ben-piper-newlife
New Life was set up by Trevor Goodall following the death of his premature twin boys Joshua and Samuel in 1995.
The charity raises money for specialist medical equipment that increases the chances of survival for many premature and seriously ill babies and has raised more £1 million since it was created.
