A south Norfolk mother has signed up to run a half-marathon in aid of a charity which supports premature babies after her own twin boys were born 12 weeks early.

Eastern Daily Press: William Reed of Ditchingham who was born 12 weeks early. His mum Lucille is running a half marathon to raise money for Tommy's Charity.William Reed of Ditchingham who was born 12 weeks early. His mum Lucille is running a half marathon to raise money for Tommy's Charity. (Image: Archant)

Lucille Reed, of Ditchingham, near Bungay, had a completely normal pregnancy until she went into spontaneous labour and drove herself to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to find out what was happening.

Despite attempts to stop her giving birth, Mrs Reed, 33, had her sons William and George the next morning, on April 25, 2011.

Her sons weighed a tiny 2lb 6oz and 2lb 8oz and had to be monitored in hospital for 10 weeks. Both boys were kept in incubators and George was on ventilation for a week.

Between them, they underwent three blood transfusions, a hernia operation and a whole host of tests, injections, scans, x-rays and other medical procedures just to stay alive.

Eastern Daily Press: George Reed of Ditchingham who was born 12 weeks early. His mum Lucille is running a half marathon to raise money for Tommy's Charity.George Reed of Ditchingham who was born 12 weeks early. His mum Lucille is running a half marathon to raise money for Tommy's Charity. (Image: Archant)

Mrs Reed said: 'We saw William four hours after I gave birth and we were able to hold him but we couldn't hold George until a week later.

'It was really hard and very stressful. You just don't feel in control and you can't really see the end of the tunnel until you leave the hospital.

'They were taken for lots of different tests, scans and X-rays, but we were told everything they went through is normal for babies arriving 12 weeks early.'

Both boys were left with scarred lungs, but doctors are hoping it will improve as they get older.

Once they were home from the hospital, the twins had to be kept inside throughout the winter to avoid picking up any winter bugs.

But with her sons now healthy and happy at three-years-old, Mrs Reed has decided to raise funds for Tommy's Charity.

She said: 'When I was pregnant I found out about them because they produce a really useful healthy pregnancy guide.

'They do a lot of research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriages so after I had the boys I thought about them again.

'When I found out they were looking for runners to do the half-marathon I signed up.

'We will never find out why our sons were born early.

'When you are having twins you are scanned every two weeks so it's not like we weren't monitored.

'But if I can help pay for some research that will stop someone else having to spend 10 weeks in hospital then it will be worthwhile.'

Mrs Reed will be running the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon in Hyde Park, London, on Sunday, October 12, and will be joining over 16.000 over runners along the 13.1 mile route.

She said: 'It has been difficult to train so I've been running on the treadmill every evening when the boys are in bed.

'I want to raise £500 and I collected about £400 sponsorship so far.'

Mrs Reed also hopes to hold a fish and chip supper and quiz night in Ditchingham in the New Year.

• To sponsor Mrs Reed, visit her page here.

• Are you raising money for a charity close to your heart? Email amy.smith@archant.co.uk