A KENDAL paramedic is lacing up his running shoes in an attempt to raise funds for the hospital unit that saved the lives of his twins.

Timothy Miles, 40, will be running the London Marathon as a way to say thank you to Lancaster Royal Infirmary's neonatal unit.

Harry and Lola were born on May 22, 2011 - two months earlier than they were due and weighing 3lb 4oz and 3lb 11oz respectively.

"There were lots of ups and downs, tears, smiles and laughter and they were ultimately discharged on their due date," Mr Miles said. "Its difficult to express in words the gratitude I have for the role that the Neonatal Unit provided in our lives.

"We could not have hoped, or wished, for more knowledgeable, caring and supportive staff that we were lucky enough to meet on the ward, delivery suite and the neonatal unit."

Mr Miles, a senior paramedic for the North West Ambulance Service and a member of the Kendal Amateur Athletics Club will be running the 26.2 miles on April 23.

"I will be running the event in my Kendal AAC vest and am also thinking about ordering a large dummy to carry!" he said.

He said that although he has always been a runner, he is used to shorter distances.

"I tend to focus on 10km distances," he said. "In the training I have done 16 and 18 mile runs, a couple of 20 mile runs and last week I did 22 miles. It's a challenge! I think it's more of a challenge than I thought it would be."

However, Mr Miles said that it was worth the effort as he could not have 'hoped or wished' for 'more knowledgeable, caring and supportive staff' on the ward, delivery suite and the neonatal unit.

"When Harry and Lola were sent home as healthy and happy babies I promised I would do something to raise money for the unit. Admittedly a few years have passed but I have never forgotten my promise," he said.

Mr Miles is hoping that the funds raised will go towards the equipment fund which allows staff to purchase equipment that will directly benefit its patients.

"Perhaps if I raise enough they might look after Harry and Lola for two months this summer!" he said.

Mr Miles' sponsorship page can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TimothyMiles