Huge congratulations to 12 year old villager Willow Cooper who has successfully completed her self-set challenge to run 100km in June.

Willow ran 3.4km every day for 30 days, so actually ran 102.4km, or the equivalent of two and a half marathons over the month, which saw her running in hail as well as 20 degree heat such is the British weather!

She chose to run to raise money for Kettering General Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) where Willow and her younger (by 3 minutes) twin sister Bronte were cared for for 5 weeks after being born 8-weeks prematurely weighing 2lb 14 and 4lb 7 respectively.

Willow hoped to raise £250 but so far, thanks to donations from generous villagers and friends and family, she is nearing £1000.

Mum Naomi, who accompanied Willow on the run, said: “She did really well. It’s a real achievement. Running every day is physically as well as mentally exhausting and I am really proud of her. We would like to thank everyone so much for their generous donations.”

Willow has asked SCBU what they would like to buy with the money, and they have said they would like some Zaky hug hands which are bean-filled hand-shaped soothers which help comfort premature or poorly babies when their parents can’t be there such as through the Covid pandemic which has seen hospital visiting times reduced.

There is still time to donate, if you haven’t already, by clicking on the Just Giving link

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/willow-runs-for-poorly-babies-to-keep-out-covid