AN ABERGAVENNY dad whose daughter spent the first part of her life in the Special Care Baby Unit at Nevill Hall Hospital is running the London Marathon on Sunday for special care baby charity Bliss.

Cameron Cook thought the day his first child was born would be the happiest day of his life but in May 2007 as he rushed to Nevill Hall Hospital to see his wife Kate he knew that something was wrong.

Elinor May Cook was born ten weeks early weighing just 2lb 8oz.

Cameron said, "We were delighted that Elinor had been born safely, but at that time we just didn't know what lay ahead."

For the next seven and a half weeks Elinor received excellent care from the dedicated and professional staff at both Nevill Hall Special Care Baby Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. During this time there were still many anxious moments.

Cameron said, "Elinor is now a very happy and healthy 23 month old toddler and we are very proud and lucky parents. However, not all parents of sick or premature babies are as fortunate as us and knowing first hand what a good job Bliss do, I'm delighted to now have the opportunity to help them. On Sunday I will be running the Flora London Marathon aiming to raise £3,000 for Bliss. This year Bliss celebrates its 30th birthday and I'm honoured to have been chosen as one of the 30 ambassadors out of a team of 120 runners that Bliss has in this years London Marathon."

To help Cameron reach his target of £3,000 visit http://www.justgiving.com/cameroncook">www.justgiving.com/cameroncook