Published 6 October 2022
A mum will tackle a half marathon on Sunday to raise money for the hospital teams who helped save her daughter’s life.
Anna Slark has already raised hundreds of pounds for East Kent Hospitals Charity and hopes to add to that total ahead of the Royal Parks half marathon this weekend.
The money will go to the charity’s Tiny Toes appeal, supporting the neonatal intensive care unit at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where her daughter Amber spent the first three months of her life.
Anna, 35, who works as a physiotherapist at the hospital, said: “It was a healthy and low-risk pregnancy until suddenly everything changed and Amber was born by emergency caesarean section at 28 weeks, weighing just 1lb 13 ounces.
“When she was born I heard her cry and it was the smallest rasping noise I have ever heard, but it meant she was alive so it was such a relief.
“It was one of the most stressful situations I have ever been in. I didn’t know anything about the NICU – even though I work in the hospital I’d never been there or had any involvement with it, and it was a whole other world.
“But the staff were amazing and even though it was such a traumatic time we felt we were in really good hands and they looked after us as much as Amber.
“The memories from that time will always stay with us and we will forever be grateful for their care.”
Amber is now a healthy five year old, and her little brother Harry arrived last year without complications. But Anna and husband Matt, a physiotherapist at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, wanted to give something back.
Anna said: “I’ve done the Royal Parks half marathon before, but I don’t really consider myself to be a runner. I entered the ballot on a bit of a whim back in January and was quite shocked to secure a place.
“Tiny Toes was the obvious choice when it came to fundraising. The training has been hard work, particularly after having another baby, but it also gives me some much needed me-time.
"I really want to challenge myself a bit more and beat my previous time of two hours and 23 minutes, so I’ve joined the Canterbury Harriers. They have been a great support and have helped keep my training on-track.”
You can add to Anna’s total at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anna-slark
