Young Titchmarsh runner pounding the streets for pounds in tribute to special care baby unit

A football-mad Titchmarsh 12-year-old has swapped her soccer boots for trainers to raise money for the hospital that supported her and her twin sister when they were born.

Willow Cooper and sister Bronte arrived eight weeks early and spent their first five weeks in Kettering General Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) with mum Naomi and dad Tim.

During lockdown, Willow has been trying to keep match fit but also wanted to raise money for a good cause so she set herself the challenge of running 100km in June, the equivalent of nearly two-and-a-half marathons, or 3.4km every day for 30 days.

Willow, who plays for Thrapston Under 13s as a winger, said: “I wanted to do something for a good cause and keep myself fit at the same time.

"So far I have run in 20 degree heat and in hail but I am determined to complete the challenge for the poorly babies.”

Willow has already beaten her target of £250, raising more than £370 in the first week.

Mum Naomi said: "I'm very proud of her. She's normally a very shy person but she really wants to raise the money.

"The twins were ten years in the making as IVF babies. They were born eight weeks early which was frightening. Willow weighed 2lbs 14oz and Bronte was 4lbs 7oz.

"We were lucky that both girls although they were small they weren't poorly. We were told just before they were coming home that Willow had a bleed on her brain but the hospital were really good and she was fine."

Willow, a Year 7 pupil at Southfield School for Girls in Kettering, has been running the same route every day along the lanes near her Titchmarsh home with faithful pet dog Star and mum Naomi.

Naomi said: "She's doing really well but I am not a runner by any means. We listen to music as we go along. I'm as a red as a beetroot and Willow sometimes half dances, half runs as she goes along. We're getting faster and knocking time off our run each day.

"I'm nearly regretting agreeing to join her but I think that running has helped with our mental health and the donations have really inspired us to carry on.

"She has chosen Kettering SCBU as they cared for her and her twin Bronte for five weeks. The unit’s staff and parents are under particular pressure now to keep coronavirus out and keep the premature and poorly babies safe."

She added: "Last year, I donated some money to SCBU I raised after I left my Music Makers business and we'll continue to find ways to raise money for the unit.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has donated. It's been great and we've beaten our target but would like to raise as much as possible."

To donate to Willow's month-long marathon in support of Kettering General Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit click here.A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

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