Two best friends, Simone Schehtman and Elizabeth Eman, have been awarded this week’s Charity Champion after raising almost £8,000 for Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity. The pair, who met through their children at King David School, chose to fundraise for the hospital’s charity in support of Simone’s son, Oliver, who spent the first five days of his life in the hospital’s Neonatal Unit, where Elizabeth works as a clinical psychologist. After a complicated birth, baby Oliver had to be monitored via an incubator for . Thankfully, after five days of uncertainty, Simone, was able to take her little boy home. Oliver is now a cheeky and happy seven year old that is doing really well. To say thank you for Oliver’s care, the two friends set themselves the challenge of running 100k over 10 days with the hope of raising enough money to fund specialist breast pumps for mums who give birth to premature babies. After battling a variety of British weather; the pair, who were new to running, finished their challenge and exceeded their target by raising an incredible £7,500. Simone said: “This was the toughest thing I’ve ever done but also the most incredible - I loved every single minute of it. “What kept us going was the thought that every step we took would help another baby and another family at the time they needed it the most. The hospital gave my baby amazing care at a particularly crucial time, and now he’s a healthy seven year old like all of his friends.” Elizabeth added: “It was a natural fit for me to take on the challenge with Simone. I see the amazing work my colleagues on the Neonatal Unit do each and every day and I wanted to do more to give something back.” Serena Daw, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “It’s so inspirational to hear Simone and Elizabeth’s story and we’re so grateful that these fundraising friends took on such an inspiring challenge for our hospital’s charity. “The money they have raised will go on to directly support women, babies and families using our hospital at the most anxious and difficult times.” For more information about Birmingham Women’s Hospital Charity, visit www.bwh.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 0121 335 8040.