I Made It!

This weekend I rollerbooted from Bristol to London, 120 miles for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. The following video shows some of my journey.  Thank you to everyone who has helped or donated and please spread the word and help me reach my target of £1000 for this amazing charity.

Please donate if you can at www.justgiving.com/Danny-Maddocks

1 Day to Go…..

A quick update to say thanks to everyone who has supported me so far, over this weekend I’ll be skating 120 miles trying to raise £1000 for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

I encourage everyone reading this post to view the FSID in memory site at http://www.fsidinmemory.org.uk/ to gain a little understanding of exactly why I am doing this challenge.

Please donate if you can at http://www.justgiving.com/Danny-Maddocks , I know £1000 is a big ask in the current climate but if we all donate a little it really can help make a difference.

So thats it for now, I guess I should get some rest! thank you all for reading, I’ll be posting updates throughout the weekend on twitter and can be reached/followed on www.twitter.com/Babys1stCalenda – feel free to come and keep me company – hash tag #SABM.

I’ll also be posting a video blog of the event next week so do keep an eye out for it.

Have a great weekend all.

A very nervous yet excited Danny! xx

Me and Little Boss – preparing for the 120 mile charity skate

Dad’s 120 Mile Roller-Skate for “Save a Baby Month”

Danny Maddocks was so moved by the heartache felt by parents of cot death victims that he decided to get his skates on and do something to help… literally.

So next month Danny, 28, will roll into action to support the fourth annual ‘Save A Baby Month’ by roller-skating all the way from Bristol to London – a marathon 120-mile, three–day trip.

“Save a Baby Month’ is a national campaign organised by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) to raise awareness of simple, effective measures parents can take to reduce the risk of cot death – otherwise known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Danny, of Bristol hasn’t pulled on a pair of skates in earnest since he was a teenager – but is determined to raise £1,000 that could pay for two baby breathing monitors.

“It’s been over 10 years since I last slipped into a pair of roller boots but even back then the farthest I had skated was 12 miles from Bristol to Bath!” he said.

Danny first became aware of the FSID and the work they do two years ago when his partner was due with their first child.

“Cot death was one of our biggest fears, being first-time parents,” said Danny. “All of a sudden baby safety was the top priority for both of us and research led me to the FSID website.

“It was there I discovered an ‘in memory’ website, also run by FSID, where bereaved parents can create a memorial for their child. We can only begin to imagine the pain, suffering and heartache that these parents are going through.

“I have been moved to tears on many occasions reading those and that is my motivation to do all I can to support the charity.”

So on Saturday, May 8, Danny will set off skating from Bristol to FSID headquarters in London, handing out Safe Sleeping literature and raising money along the way. Bristol skate shop Rollermania has donated a pair of roller skates for Danny’s challenge, while overnight stays have also been gifted by the Hare and Hounds Hotel, Newbury and the Royal Adelaide, Windsor.

Holly Butcher, FSID’s Head of Fundraising, said: “We are all very excited about Danny’s incredible roller-skating challenge and wish him the best of luck.

“Cot death is still the biggest killer of babies over one month old in the UK, claiming more lives than meningitis, leukaemia and all other cancers combined.

“We rely on the magnificent efforts of supporters like Danny, who go above and beyond to help us give every baby the chance of a lifetime.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Danny’s skate can go to www.justgiving.com/Danny-Maddocks or visit www.babysfirstcalendar.com/blog for updates.

For more information on “Save a Baby Month”, go to the FSID website at http://fsid.org.uk.

There are only 23 days left until I set off my 120 mile skate from Bristol to London aiming to raise £1000 for “Save a Baby Month”. I though I would post my latest training update, and thank a few really helpful people along the way.

Last Tuesday I skated 19.8 miles – my first “proper” training session, although this is a shorter distance than I’ll be skating on any of the 3 days it wasn’t a stroll in the park, to give you an idea of the terrain I have to navigate I tool some pictures for you along the way, the one below is typical of the journey.

It never seemed to end!

So after a while of attempting to skate on this I decided I would be better off on the road, I had my full safety gear on.

This was much better, although jumping off the road to get out the way of oncoming cars put a lot of strain on my already aching feet!

I gave out a number of leaflets and had a donation on the day via www.justgiving.com/Danny-Maddocks from a mum I met

(Thank you Claire).

I also dropped off a number of leaflets and an FSID collection tin to a hotel in Windsor who have kindly donated an overnight stay

for me.

That’s something I have been amazed by, peoples kindness and willingness to help, so in no particular order, as well as thanking those who have donated via just giving I would like to thanks the following companies.

Hare and Hounds Hotel Newbury for donating an overnight stay in Newbury on the 8th May.

The Royal Adelaide Hotel Windsor for donating an overnight stay in Windsor on 9th May.

www.scubaprint.com for donating printing of flyers, stickers and posters – brilliant!

www.mono-designs.co.uk who have written a great press release for me that reads really well and should help to raise awareness of FSID and this charity event.

It’s a few days later now and the aches and pains are subsiding, so I’ll be back out on the skates for round two soon!

You can donate at www.justgiving.com/Danny-Maddocks

Thank you for reading and thank you for your support!

<<<Read Part 1 of Save a Baby Month 2010

I am over the moon to say that I now have a pair of skates and have begun my training – eek!.

On Saturday 13th February I met with the owner of a Bristol skate shop called Rollermania where I used to spend all my paper round money at in my early teens. When they read about the work that the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) do and my 120 mile skate from Bristol Children’s Hospital to FSID headquarters in London, he was happy to donate a pair of skates for me to begin my training and complete the 3 day skate in May.

I put the skates on in the shop to try for size, a little big so we changed the inner sock size and was perfect. The moment I stood up I was almost back down! With little man and his mum laughing at me the enormity of the challenge that lies ahead was clear in my mind, but I am pleased to say that although a little wobbly, I didn’t fall over!

I’d like to publically thank Rollermania and say how chuffed I am with the SFR Raptor 76 skates they have donated – Thanks guys. You can visit Rollermania online at www.rollermania.com

Raptor 76 Skates Donated by Rollermania.com

Training Begins

We arrived home and after the Bambi episode in the shop I was eager to get the skates on and see if I could actually still skate. I decided a trip to the shops was in order (a 28yr old man on roller boots gets some funny looks I can tell you). I did a 2 mile round trip to some nearby shops, a little wobbly at first but happy to report no trips or falls and it actually felt quite good, like I was 13 all over again. 2 days later though I can assure you I didn’t feel 13 all over again, my legs were seriously hurting, they are better now so I’m back out on them today for round 2, wish me luck.

Please support Save a Baby Month 2010 – tell all your friends and remember to come back for updates.

Donate @ Just giving Visit FSID Website

Are you doing something for Save a Baby Month? Have any suggestions or question? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Until next time…..

Danny Maddocks

Managing Director – Baby’s First Calendar Ltd

<<<Read Part 1 of Save a Baby Month 2010

Save a Baby Month

Save a Baby Month Logo

May 2010 will be the 3rd annual “Save a Baby Month”, a national campaign organised by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) to raise awareness of the simple yet effect measures parents can take to Reduce the Risk of Cot Death.

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths is the UK’s leading baby charity working to prevent sudden deaths and promote infant health. FSID funds research, supports bereaved families; promotes baby care advice; and works to improve investigations when a baby dies.

Save a Baby Month is also the charity’s annual fundraising drive where anyone can get involved to help raise vital funds and spread the word on Safe Sleeping. For further information & advice please visit the FSID Website.

3 days–120 miles–2 very tired legs-£1000?

On Saturday May 8^th I will begin my fundraising endeavour, Travelling 120 miles from Bristol Children’s Hospital to FSID head quarters in London – on skates/roller boots/ old school quads, none of this modern day inline business thank you very much!

Over 3 days I will skate 120 miles handing out Safe Sleeping literature and raising money along the way from kind members of the public and Businesses. You can track my progress over the 3 days by following me on twitter www.twitter.com/@babys1stCalenda – come say hi and grab some literature if you are on my route – I’d love to meet you.

I will also be updating this page so do come back and check for updates.

Day 1 – 60 miles – Bristol to Newbury with Fresh legs! (Click here for a map of Day 1’s route)

Day 2 – 35 miles – Newbury to Windsor with Aching Legs! (Click here for a map of day 2’s route)

Day 3 – 25 miles – Windsor to FSID’s London Headquarters with truly tired legs! (Click here for a map of day 3’s route)

It’s been over 10 years since I last slipped into a pair of roller boots let alone travelled any distance, even back then the farthest I had skated was 16 miles from Bristol to Bath, this used to take around 2 hours, I hope I can still manage it – I WILL manage it – I won’t let my sponsors or FSID down, Once I have some skates I will start training – again remember to check back for updates and I’ll let you know how the training is going.

If you would like to sponsor my skate and help raise money for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths please visit my official just giving page at www.justgiving.com/Danny-Maddocks where you can make a securedonation online – any amount is a great amount, so don’t be shy!.

If you work for a business that’s on one of the routes above and would like to make a donation in person, do contact me and I will do my best to pop in and take a picture for this blog (and have a cold drink if there’s one going please!).

Why FSID?

I first became aware of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths and the great work they do in 2008 when my partner was due with our first child. Cot Death (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or “SIDS”) was one of our biggest fears being first time parents, we had seen some very sad news reports throughout the years yet never properly taken in the advice given as we didn’t have children, now all of a sudden baby safety was the top priority for both of us, naturally.

Research led me to the FSID Website where I found a wealth of information and safe sleeping advice to help reduce the risk of Cot Death and, it has to be said; settle my nerves.

Through the FSID website I discovered an “In Memory”  website, also ran by FSID where bereaved parents can create a memorial for their child, reading through these we can only begin to imagine the pain, suffering and heartache that these parents are going through. I have been moved to tears on many occasions reading these, this is my motivation to do all I can to support the charity and hope that one day, with further scientific research Cot Death will be a thing of the past.

Please support Save a Baby Month 2010 – tell all your friends and remember to come back for updates.

Donate @ Just giving Visit FSID Website

Are you doing something for Save a Baby Month? Have any suggestions or question? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Now then – Better get my skates on!

Danny Maddocks

Managing Director – Baby’s First Calendar Ltd

There are no cure all’s as far as preventing stretch marks goes but hopefully by following these 5 simple tips you can help your body avoid them.

Here are our top 5 tips to help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

1: Massage Your Skin

Better still, have your partner massage your skin every day while you are pregnant! Gently massaging the skin helps to improve circulation and helps new skin tissue to grow. Plus baby will like it too!

2: Use a Lotion or Oil

When massaging your skin as above using a lotion which has vitimin E will help the skins elasticity making it less likely to tear and cause stretch marks. Bio Oil worked wonders for my partner (yes I massaged her every night!), find one that you like or is recommended by friends and use it everyday throughout your pregnancy.

3: Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking plenty of water helps to keep your skin hydrated as it grows, keeps your body healthy and in turn helps your baby, it’s a no brainer really!

4: Dont Eat for Two!

Ok so this one is easier said than done, it’s very tempting to use the old “Eating for two” excuse to eat lots more than you usually would, but if you’re gaining weight from excessive eating as well as gaining weight from your growing baby your skin can find it hard to keep up.

5: Use a Wash Puff

When bathing using a wash puff can help to remove dead skin, improve circulation and promote new skin growth.

We hope you found our top 5 tips to prevent stretch marks useful, if so please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

You can find other useful hints and tips on all things pregnancy by exploring our Pregnancy category.

We are Dan & Ange, Parents to Cameron and creators of Baby’s First Calendar, treat yourself and your baby to our Personalised Baby Gift before your baby is even born, also makes a fantastic baby shower gift.

Feeling a little different? Think you may be pregnant? Read the early signs of pregnancy here. They are not exhaustive and we suggest a visit to you GP as early as possible if you think you might be pregnant.

Missing Your Period

If you are usually as regular as clockwork and are late, this is the easiest tale tale sign to spot.

Everything Tastes Different

If all of a sudden things that you usually can’t get enough of start to taste unpleasant, or you have a metallic taste in your mouth this could be one of the early signs of pregnancy.

Feeling VERY Tired

If you feel unusually tired and there is no obvious reason (like its the day after a night on the tiles!) it could be the increased levels of progesterone in your body, although not a huge sign of early pregnancy on its own, along with other signs it can help to build a bigger picture.

Sore or Swollen Breasts

During the early stages of pregnancy your body has a huge hormone surge, this can lead to increasingly sore breasts, once your body is used to it the tenderness usually subsides. This is one of the more common early signs of pregnancy.

Areolae Are Darker

If the skin around your nipples is darker than usual this could be a sign that you are pregnant.

Positive Pregnancy Test

The one we all know, time for a trip to the doctors!

We hope you found our early signs of pregnancy blog useful, if so please leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

You can find other useful hints and tips on all things pregnancy by exploring our Pregnancy category.

We are Dan & Ange, Parents to Cameron and creators of Baby’s First Calendar, treat yourself and your baby to our

Personalised Baby Gift before your baby is even born, also makes a fantastic baby shower gift for a pregnant friend!

Click to buy tickets online

We are pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at The Designer Baby Show this month.

On the 15th November between 10am – 5pm at:

The Centre Conference Venue

Farnham Road

Slough

Berkshire

SL1 4UT

The show will be opened by Annabel Karmel MBE, the world’s leading expert and best selling author on Baby & Children’s food and nutrition.

Annabel will be giving two 45 minute talks in the Celebrity theatre at 11.00am & 2.30pm, giving top tips on baby weaning & everything you need to know about baby & toddler nutrition. You will also have the chance to ask her direct questions during her Q & A section.

From The Designer Baby Show website:

Bringing together both high-profile brands and less well-known names (those hard-to-find but brilliant-to-discover companies), The Designer Baby Show presents the most covetable collection of 100 companies offering everything for stylish mummy’s to be to babies and toddlers.

It makes the complex task of planning your new arrival much simpler. Instead of spending weeks requesting company brochures, visiting designers’ shops, trawling the internet and hitting the phone, you can spend one day in a relaxed and focused environment at The Designer Baby Show finding everything you need.

You can buy tickets online by clicking the image above or visiting http://thedesignerbabyshow.co.uk.

Our followers on twitter (@Babys1stCalenda) will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show soon.

With host of great exhibitors and offers this really does look like it’s going to be a great show and one we are really excited about. We look forward to seeing you there, stand 74.