A Stevenage dad is set to run 75 miles in a dinosaur costume to raise money for a charity which supports babies with breathing difficulties, after his daughter suffered complications at birth.
Mitch Oakman has been entertaining passers-by in the Broadwater area as he clocks up miles throughout September in aid of charity Bliss (Baby Life Support Systems) in his inflatable costume.
The 29-year-old dad of two was inspired to raise money for Bliss after his second daughter Jessica was born.
Initially, Jessica seemed completely healthy and was sent home from the hospital with no concerns. It was later found that she was born with a bacterial infection.
During her first night at home, Jessica started choking, was unable to breathe and turned blue in the face. Her parents resulted to trying to suck the mucus out of her airways.
Jessica was then rushed back to hospital in an ambulance and spent the first month of her life in the NICU.
“Bliss really spoke to us personally because we had experienced it first-hand,” said Mitch, “We did not even know that there were charities like that involved with the NHS.”
“We just want to spread awareness. People take for granted the fact that you can go to the hospital to have your baby and then when you go home, everything is fine. That is not the reality for everyone.”
“Many other children in the NICU had been there for months, if not years.”
Thankfully, Jessica is now happy and healthy and celebrated her first birthday early this year.
Bliss’s aim as a charity is to give all babies born premature or unwell a fighting chance at life.
“It’s such a daunting experience and many people do not understand or appreciate how difficult it can be for both the kids and for the parents,” Mitch continued.
“Kids are the most innocent thing on the planet, they don’t understand what’s happening. They just want to be happy and looked after.”
Mitch started his fundraiser only two days ago and already him and his family have surpassed their goal of raising £150, with over £200 being donated by the community.
“I’ve never really run before but it’s been going really well,” said Mitch. “Hopefully we can get up to £500, maybe even more.”
Mitch and his family have been met with overwhelming support from the community and has been contacted by many people living nearby to request that he runs by their house.
He has been receiving lots of support online across various social media platforms.
The Jurassic jogger hopes to spread out from Stevenage into neighbouring communities. At the end of the month, he plans to run from his place of work in Welwyn Garden City back to his house in Stevenage.
“I definitely would want to do this sort of thing again in the future” he continued.
“It’s just nice to do something all together and get the kids involved and feel part of a proper community.”
To visit Mitch’s Facebook page or to donate, visit facebook.com/share/p/q8VTYD6xSo6VYG52/?mibextid=WC7FNe
To learn more about Bliss, go to bliss.org.uk.
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