Two men with prams

Stuart McChesney from Newtownabbey and Dave Gamble from Carrickfergus are each planning to push a pram 350 miles around Northern Ireland to raise funds for TinyLife, the premature baby charity. The challenge will take them 12 days to complete, with their sixth day starting in Limavady in the beautiful setting of The Roe Valley Country Park.

Stuart said: “I have always taken part in extreme sports and I wanted to combine that with raising funds for charity. Earlier this year my wife and I lost our beautiful baby daughter Leah at just 19 weeks, an experience I never dreamt we would have to deal with.

“Plans were already in place to do ‘The Big Pram Push’ but losing Leah made me more determined than ever to make it happen.

“My good friend Dave will join me on the walk, we plan to visit 18 towns in just 12 days and we have eight events planned over the 12 days that families can join in with. It would be great to have the support of local mothers and toddler groups and local families.”

The event is coming to Limavady on Saturday, June 23.

Stuart added: “We will reach Limavady at the end of day five of our journey around Northern Ireland. We plan to celebrate the beginning of day six by holding a family sponsored walk and pram push in Roe Valley Country Park on the morning of Saturday, June 23.”

Registration will take place from 10.00am at the main car park in the country park. The walk will begin at 10.30am - we will follow the river down to the footbridge and back to the car park again. It is only a short distance so will be suitable for all ages and abilities.

Each family is asked to raise a minimum of £15 in sponsorship. To register contact the TinyLife office on 02890 815050 or email [email protected].

Stuart concluded: “After the Roe Valley Dave and I will be walking on to our next destination in Omagh!”

Those who would like to make a donation can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/thebigprampush or use their mobile phone to text ‘Tiny’ to 70700 – this will ensure a donation of £5 reaches TinyLife. Every day in Northern Ireland seven babies are born too soon. Some will arrive as early as 24 weeks and weigh as little as one pound! TinyLife offers a range of family support services.