A dad has run more than 400 miles during February to help raise money for a hospital unit supporting seriously ill newborn babies.

Marc Petters, from Wilmington, near Dartford, was inspired to take on the epic challenge after a family friend gave birth to her second son more than six weeks early.

Neil and Laura Rowe's baby Samuel was born on January 24 and is being looked after at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex.

It is the same unit where his elder brother Ralph, who has just turned two-years-old, was born 10 weeks premature and was also looked after for his first eight weeks.

Marc says the amazing care and support his friends received during Ralph's early days in the world inspired him to run last year's virtual London Marathon raising £6,000 for the unit.

When baby Samuel was taken into their care and Laura and Neil started receiving the same top care and support from the doctors and nurses, Marc decided he wanted to help again.

He set off running a mile extra every day during the month of February – starting with one mile on the first day to increase each day with a 28-mile gruelling run on the final day of the month.

In total he ran 406 miles, the same as almost 16 marathons during the course of the month and has raised more than £33,000.

The money will be shared between the NICU and Young Minds, which supports children and young people struggling with mental health issues and bring them care and treatment.

Samuel is now home with his mum, dad and brother after responding well to the care of the team at the NICU.

Mum Laura said: "Prior to our boys being born early, which was very unexpected with Ralph, I had no real idea of the neonatal units at hospitals around the country.

"It is quite simply amazing. Ralph was born at just 29 weeks, so 10-and-a-half weeks early weighing 3lb 3oz.

"For many weeks Ralph needed daily care and help to keep him alive, his lung collapsed, he was on a ventilator as he couldn’t breathe and needed blood transfusions and brain scans and so much more.

"After 51 days we finally got to take him home and it was the best feeling ever. It was never clear why Ralph was early so when I was pregnant with Samuel we knew there would be a chance it could be another early baby.

"Samuel arrived six-and-a-half weeks early, so a little easier than with Ralph as he was bigger at 5lb 5oz and a little bit more developed.

"After a tough first few days he quickly became stronger and came home after 16 days in NICU.

"This time round we knew most of the staff which was so nice as with Covid there are many more restrictions in place for visiting so to be leaving Samuel each night with people we have trusted with Ralph's care previously was a huge help.

"The team at Harlow are just amazing, and to be able to give back to them with this huge donation is more than we can have ever imagined.

"We are forever grateful to Marc and the team at Princess Alexandra NICU."

Marc, 41, said he wanted to eclipse his marathon challenge last year which allowed the hospital to buy a phototherapy machine which helps treat skin disorders.

The father-of-four, a London firefighter based at Sidcup station, said: "There is so much negativity at the moment and I really wanted to do something positive during lockdown and raise money at the same time.

"After asking for Marathon donations last year I knew that my next challenge had to be big to get the money in again and this hasn’t disappointed.

"This has definitely been the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I was determined succeed.

"Although running in the snow early in the month was hard and obviously now the miles are stacking up the recovery is really hard but I’ve found it so mentally challenging.

"The support has been unbelievable, everyone from the local community to local businesses have supported me on my journey as well as my family and friends and I couldn’t have done this without them, especially my wife, Gemma, who has lived and breathed this for 28 days."

To donate to Mark's fundraising page click here uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarcPetters

The KM Group is committed to helping the community through the KM Charity team. For more information and to find out what other good causes you can get involved in click here.

For support, advice, events and all things to do with parenting in Kent, visit My Kent Family here.

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