Every day in Australia, 71 babies are born prematurely.

Hi, everyone! My name's Ted Draper, and this November I'm taking part in the Premmie Marathon Challenge, aiming to cover 120 km and raise $2,500 for premature babies.

Two years ago, my youngest son, lets call him Bear, was born 10 weeks premature and spent the first two months of his life in the NICU at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

It was touch and go for a while.

I'll never forget that first night. My wife was recovering, and I was downstairs watching the incredible medical staff fight to keep our little boy alive.

I don't remember much of that night clearly. I remember watching his oxygen saturation keep dropping, even as they increased the oxygen he was receiving. I remember lots of conversations with doctors and nurses. I remember being told to be "prepared."

But most of all, I remember thinking that if we could just make it to sunrise, his very first sunrise, somehow everything would be okay.

And he made it.

Today, we have a beautiful, cheeky, almost two-and-a-half-year-old boy who bounces off the walls and lights up our world.

I'm incredibly grateful for the care he received. I often think about how different our story could have been if we hadn't been at the Royal, with access to some of the best medical staff and equipment in Australia.

That's why I take part in this challenge. To help give other premature babies the same fighting chance Bear got. The money raised helps provide vital equipment to hospitals and medical centres caring for these tiny early birds who just couldn't wait to join us.

Now, I should probably explain why I'm doing 120 km this year...

Last year, I failed spectacularly!

While taking the kids to the creek, I managed to fall off a cliff, slice my foot open, and spend pretty much all of November on crutches.

Not exactly ideal preparation for a marathon challenge!

So this year, I'm making up for it by doubling my distance and fundraising goal!

I've also decided to print some fundraising flyers and deliver them to local letterboxes while I'm clocking up my kilometres. Two birds, one stone!

I'll be running around the neighbourhood  although, let's be honest, it'll mostly be walking, with occasional bursts of what might generously be described as jogging. 

Hopefully, by the end of November, I'll have raised $2,500, covered 120 km, and lost a few kilos along the way!

Thank you for reading, and thank you to everyone who supports premature babies and the incredible people who care for them.

Cheers,
Ted