Marlow teen with cerebral palsy takes on charity walk – Bucks Free Press

A 13-year-old boy from Marlow will embark on a journey of redemption on Saturday, September 28.

Jamie Tennant, who is a student at Great Marlow School, is to walk from Higginson Park to Henley, then back to Marlow, to raise money for Bliss, a charity that cares for premature babies.

The inspirational teenager was himself born prematurely and spent 362 days in hospital before being allowed to go home.

He will be joined with his mum, Laura, along with members of his family while going on the six-hour trek.

Laura told the Bucks Free Press: It was in the summer when Jamie told me that he wanted to help premature babies.

When I told him about what happened to him when he was born, he got very teary and thats when he said he really wanted to help others and give something back.

Its wonderful to see him do something like this and he is very excited about next Saturday.

Born in 2006, Jamie was 14 weeks early and spent just under the first year of his life in hospital where he overcome some incredible challenges.

The teenager had a tracheostomy and lived the first two years of his life using a ventilator to breath.

He also battled chronic lung disease and there was even a point where doctors thought that Jamies battle was going to end.

However, he fought off all his battles and now wants to help those who have lived with similar experiences to him.

Laura added: It was a very difficult year. It really was a roller coaster but Im so happy that we got through to the other side.

Jamie is such a sociable teenager and he doesnt see himself to be different from someone else, but at the same time, I encourage him that sometimes being different is something to be proud of.

Also, I just want to add that Great Marlow School have been incredible in supporting Jamie when he needs it.

Im very proud of him.

Jamie, who also has mild cerebral palsy, had planned to raise 362 for Bliss to commemorate the amount of days he spent in hospital.

Instead, he has raised more than 1,200, with the amount expecting to increase.

To donate to Jamies cause, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the362challenge.

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Marlow teen with cerebral palsy takes on charity walk - Bucks Free Press