A SHIPLEY woman whose premature twin girls spent 92 days in hospital after their birth will take on a challenge of walking 5K a day for 92 days to raise money to benefit the people who cared for her babies.

Kia Farrell, who admitted she is not a regular walker, is challenging herself to walk 5k a day for 92 days (460k total) to raise money for the Bradford Neonatal Unit appeal.

She said: "I have chosen to do 5k a day for 92 days to represent the amount of time my premature babies spent on the neonatal unit.

"Fundraising for the unit is something I’ve wanted to do ever since delivering my twin girls at 28 weeks and 5 days.

"Having your baby so early is not a situation that you ever imagine you will be in, but there we were on the December 29, 2020, starting our three-month journey on the neonatal unit with our tiny twin girls, Eden and Daisy.

"Eden and Daisy didn’t weigh much more than 1.1kg each when they were born.

"It was really hard as first, because they were so small we were scared to hold and touch them. But we were encouraged by the staff from day one that it was ok to do this.

"The early days were very difficult, the girls required so much care and attention to help them thrive and grow to get them to the point where we could finally take them home on March 30.

"All the staff did an outstanding job and always went above and beyond, not just with the girls but with us as parents too.

"If we needed anything, the nurses were absolutely amazing.

"Nothing was ever too much to ask and there was always a shoulder to cry on when it sometimes got a bit too overwhelming.

"Without the help of all of the staff in the neonatal unit our little girls would not have made it.

"Eden and Daisy both received round the clock care by the amazing staff and we could not have asked for better doctors and nurses looking after our precious girls."

She said even with Covid-19 restrictions, "they made us feel welcome the whole time and they were really accessible. I couldn't imagine not being able to see my babies".

Kia added: "I could not think of any other way to say thank you than helping to raise whatever I can to help save and care for more babies in the future.

"Any donation helps and this is such a brilliant way to help future families spending time at the unit.

Kia started her 5k a day last Friday and will be doing her final 5k on Saturday, August 14.

She said she got the idea to do 5k a day from the campaign 5k a Day Through May.

During the week when her husband Stephen is at work, Kia said "it was will be just me, the twins and the pram".

At the weekend, she said the family will venture on walks further afield.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Kia-Farrell