LOUGHTON: Marathon man raises £2,000 for premature birth charity (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LOUGHTON: Marathon man raises £2,000 for premature birth charity

11:50am Wednesday 29th April 2009

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A MAN from Loughton who was born prematurely, has gone on to become a successful marathon runner, raising over £2,000 for a baby care charity.

David Shawe weighed just 3lb 9oz when he was born at Whipps Cross Hospital, where he was immediately ventilated on the intensive special care ward.

He later recovered from a life-threatening infection, before recovering at several weeks of age.

Now 26, David has performed yet another amazing feat by completing the London Flora Marathon on Sunday, in four hours eleven minutes.

He was running for Bliss, a special care baby charity dedicated to the care of premature babies.

David said: 'There was a time when they thought I wouldn't make it through, but somehow I did. Without the care provided by the neonatal staff when I was born, I wouldn’t be here today. So when the place came up to run for Bliss I jumped at the opportunity.’’ Another of David’s main motivations for running the marathon was his three younger cousins, all of whom were also born prematurely. Lee, 10, April, 6, and Annabel, 5, were all born under 36 weeks.

David followed a 16 week training programme that saw him running over 40 miles per week at points.

After completing the challenge, David said: ‘‘The sense of achievement when I crossed the finish line was like nothing I have ever experienced before. It was unbelievable, I was so pleased I had managed to get round. It was the hardest four hours I have ever experienced in my life."

He has succesfully raised over £2750.00 for charity, He added: "Everyone has been so generous and supportive"

"I would definitely run it again. This won't be the last of the fundraising I do."

Caley Eldred, Head of Fundraising and Marketing for Bliss said: "Over 30 years survival rates and outcomes of sick and premature babies have improved radically, but there is still much more to do.

"It is only with the fantastic support of fundraisers like David, that Bliss is able to ensure that more of our most vulnerable babies have the best possible start in life."

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