Dane Barclay

I’m running a range of events in 2025 as part of a 500km competitive running challenge, which will include a range of half marathons, marathons, and ultra marathons throughout late 2024 and 2025. (This doesn't even include the training!) 

As someone born three months early, weighing just 700 grams, I know first hand the challenges, the sadness, the worry and the joy that families face when their child is born prematurely. It has certainly permeated my own family.

My twin brother, Kristiaan, didn’t survive, and I guess at times I have internalised how lucky I am to breath, walk and run - it sounds a bit naff, and that's how it is. He, could have been me.

Running has been a transformative journey for me over the last few years, and I'm honored to use my passion to give back to a cause that means so much to me.

I've been fortunate enough to be part of a longitudinal study of 3-4 decades at the Royal Womens Hospital in Melbourne and have met with other premmies of the same age with a range of medical challenges, I am clearly one of the lucky ones.

So some stats...

In Australia, approximately 26,000 babies are born prematurely each year, making it the single greatest cause of death and disability in children up to five years of age. One in ten babies are born before 37 weeks gestation, and many require specialised care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The costs associated with neonatal care can be substantial, both financially and emotionally, for families.

How much do I want to raise? Well, as much as possible - and as a starting point - I thought $5 for each km, so $2,500. Let's give it a good go :) AND I do know we all have our own individual causes that we like to give to, so even the bare minimum is gratefully received.

Your donation will directly support "Running for Premature Babies" a charity aiming to  to make a difference in the lives of premature babies and their families.

Cheerio legends!