ON Saturday, Harry Simpson should be celebrating his 10th birthday.

But sadly, the youngster did not make it to his first birthday.

He spent his eight short months of life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

Now, his dad Nathan and a group of friends, plus granny Christina Gross, residential sales negotiator at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s Taunton office, are undertaking a 57-mile run in his memory to raise money for the hospital which cared for him.

The group will trek from Wellington to Burnham-on-Sea in 24 hours to raise £3,500.

Tiny Harry weighed just a pound when he was born and was about as long as a pen.

Nathan had also been premature and initially, Christina thought that Harry would also pull through.

However, the birth was the beginning of a rollercoaster eight months for the family as the little mite continued his battle for survival. But he never left hospital.

He was five weeks old before they were able to give him his first cuddle.

Harry’s parents Nathan and Beth were overwhelmed with the support and care he received at Southmead.

Beth said: “Through the toughest time in our life the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) helped to make it bearable and always kept our spirits high.”

Through the tragedy has come enormous good – Nathan has already raised £22,000 for the hospital.

Now the couple have two fabulous children, Freddie, eight, and Gracie, six, but of course they have never forgotten Harry and want to mark his birthday.

Granny Christina, who is not a committed sportswoman, is also joining the challenge and hopes to run from Wellington to Bridgwater.

The team will be calling at Greenslade Taylor Hunt offices in Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea along the way before heading back, completing the equivalent of more than two marathons in 24 hours.

To support the campaign, simply log on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nathan-simpson4.