Man takes on four triathlon fundraising challenge

Anthony said his daughters were born with a high risk of complications, and spent a month in the neonatal unit

A father of three is preparing to take on four triathlons to help raise funds for a neonatal department.

Recruitment consultant Anthony said his twin daughters Lucy and Olivia had received fantastic care during their time on New Cross Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

They were born on 21 August 2020 at 32 weeks, weighing about 4 lb (1.8kg).

Anthony said they were born with a high risk of complications, and spent a month in the neonatal unit.

He said the girls were monochorionic monoamniotic, a rare type of identical twins who share a placenta and the same amniotic sac during pregnancy.

The 35-year-old from Wolverhampton said: “The care and dedication of the team who looked after them was exceptional.

“They were born in the middle of the pandemic so things were very different in the hospital but still staff were amazing.”

Anthony's daughters are now nearly four years old

Anthony said: “They supported my wife Rachel and answered all her questions.

“They let us have our own room so we could stay with the twins before they were discharged home and they really looked after us and the girls.”

Anthony completed his first triathlon on 21 April in Wombourne, comprising a 400m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.

He is planning to take on a half ironman in September, which entails completing a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run.

“I have never really done anything like this before so I am pushing myself,” he said.

He will also be taking part in the Ellesmere Olympic Triathlon in June and The Big Welsh Swim in July.

Amie Rogers, fundraising and lead digital engagement officer at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity said: “We know our neonatal teams offer incredible support to our families and are always touched when people want to give something back in this way.”