Dad’s Yorkshire Dales challenge for NHS charity’s Tiny Toes appeal

Baby Alice Hitchens was due to be an extra special Christmas delivery for her parents Ashley and Nicola, but they were shocked when she arrived prematurely in early October 2019 after her mum suffered a ruptured membrane in her womb. 

The tiny tot weighed just 4lb 9oz and spent the first five weeks of her life on the neonatal unit at Rotherham Hospital. She had pneumonia, needed high-flow oxygen to help her breath and additional support to feed. 

Now Alice is a strong and healthy four-year-old, Ashley has pledged to take part in the ambitious hike to raise funds for other premature and poorly babies. 

He said: “Alice’s arrival eight weeks early was such a massive shock. The staff on the neonatal unit were amazing but it felt incredibly hard not being able to care for her in the way we hoped and to take her home. Calling our employers to say we’d had a baby so early felt surreal. 

“I had to leave Alice and Nicola on the unit when I returned to work, which was heart-wrenching, even though I knew they were in good hands. But life on the unit soon became our new normal and I’d go to see her before and after work. 

“We had everything we needed and although some of the facilities were dated, it was comfortable, the staff were welcoming and we were grateful to be close to Alice. We got the chance to stay in a family room with Alice before we went home together, which felt so positive because we had the independence to be Alice’s parents, to feel useful but safe in the knowledge the nurses were there if we needed them.” 

Located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park lie the iconic three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The charity is challenging fundraisers to summit all three peaks in 12 hours and to raise a minimum of £225. The charity’s event partner Elite Adventures will be providing practical and moral support along the route. 

Ashley, of Rawmarsh, added: “I’ve signed up to the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to say thank you to the NHS for caring for Alice and to do something helpful for other families going through what we did. I’m walking and cycling every day to get fitter and to bed my boots in! I’ve also been watching YouTube videos to see what I’m letting myself in for! 

“I’m really enjoying it. I’m too stubborn not to complete it so I’ll be packing my Haribo, flapjacks, plasters and thinking about raising as much as possible for the Tiny Toes appeal.” 

The charity’s Tiny Toes appeal was launched in August 2023 and aims to raise £150,000. 

The unit and its caring and compassionate staff are highly praised by families, but the facilities required upgrading to ensure their excellent standard of care can continue for generations to come. The unit had not been upgraded in 40 years. 

The Trust has refurbished the unit to future-proof it, with the charity continuing to fundraise in 2024 to make it an extra special home from home for families when they need it the most. 

Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising, said: “The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a challenge like no other – it’s a tough endurance test but the sense of accomplishment when participants like Ashley reach the third summit is unparalleled. We had such incredible feedback from last year’s hikers and can’t wait to see another intrepid team take part for our Tiny Toes appeal again. We hope Ashley inspires an even bigger cohort this year.”