A WOMAN is preparing to run the London Marathon in honour of her niece who was born six weeks early.
Chartered Surveyor Helen Vickery, 30, from Whalley, met her niece, Heidi, much sooner than she expected.
Her sister-in-law, Laura, had a smooth pregnancy before she developed pre-eclampsia when she was 34 weeks pregnant.
Laura was kept in hospital overnight but her body began to reject the baby and her organs began to shut down.
The decision was soon made to perform an emergency c-section and Heidi was born weighing 3lb 10oz.
She spent four weeks in neonatal care at Burnley General Hospital.
Helen said: “Over the next four weeks, Heidi proved herself to be a little fighter as she battled jaundice and other obstacles.
“She is now a gorgeous cheeky little girl and I’m so proud to be her aunt.
“By simply putting one foot in front of the other and running the London Marathon raises money to help boost the work which Bliss does on a daily basis and if I can just help one set of parents it is worth it.”
To support Helen, visit her fundraising page https://goo.gl/raxqKf
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