There’s something special about marathon day, with the crowds, the cheers, the journey behind every runner. This year one Team SHC runner has their own very special motivation to reach the finish line. Behind every mile Helen runs is a deeply personal reason: baby Florrie.
When her waters broke unexpectedly at just 31 weeks pregnant, life changed in an instant for Helen. With a small bump and a long to-do list still untouched, she suddenly found herself facing an emergency situation. There was no choice but to deliver her baby early via c-section.
Her daughter, Florrie May, was born in August 2024 weighing less than 3lbs, and was immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Jessop Wing. What followed was nearly a month of specialist care, emotional highs and lows, and a deep sense of gratitude that has inspired her to give something back.
“Florrie spent 28 days in NICU under the care of the incredible team,” Helen says. “She received round-the-clock care whilst we tried to keep life as normal as possible for our almost three-year-old son, Reggie, and be by Florrie’s side as much as we could.”
Amid the uncertainty, there were also precious first moments she’ll never forget.
“The days in NICU do tend to blur into one, but some memories really stand out, like our first cuddle just a few hours after she was born, changing her first nappy, dressing her for the first time, giving Florrie her first bath. They sound like such normal things, but she felt so fragile, and there were so many wires. The Neonatal team gave us the confidence to do all those things ourselves.”
Despite the challenges, the family found comfort in knowing their daughter was in expert hands.
“We knew Florrie was getting the best care possible and just needed time to grow. We trusted the process and used that time to mentally process everything that had happened, and for me to recover and build the strength to bring her home.”
And bring her home they did, before she was even due.
“The support and guidance we received meant we could bring Florrie home after just 28 days before the date she was even due to be born. We were encouraged from the very beginning to be hands-on with her care, from changing her nappy to doing her observations and feeding her through her tube. It gave us glimpses of normal life and helped us feel in control.”
Now, filled with gratitude for the care her family received, she is determined to give back.
To celebrate Florrie’s first birthday, the family held a raffle to raise funds for Jessops and that was just the start. Helen has been busy training, ready to take on the London Marathon on the 26th April and has done a fantastic job, already raising over £5,000.
“Every mile I train and race, every £1 raised, will be for the babies and families like ours in the NICU and the amazing staff who care for them.”
“We will be forever grateful to the staff at Jessops for supporting us through this time and are eternally thankful for the care Florrie received. I get emotional every time I think about it. Thanks to them, we’ve now got a very healthy, very energetic toddler!
“She will be my motivation for the marathon. I’ve cried on my training runs so I have no doubt I’ll be an emotional wreck on the day. I think the actual running will be the least of my problems…!”
Helen is one of our three runners doing the London Marathon this year, all with their own personal reasons for wanting to give back to Sheffield’s NHS. We’re so incredibly grateful for their support and can’t wait to hear how they all get on!
If you want to be a part of Team SHC at the 2027 London Marathon, you can register your interest here.
Published: Thursday 16th of April 2026