ICElAnD trEk to honour trAgiC BABy twin

A fundraiser will weave through steaming lava fields, trek 58km and endure days of camping in rough terrain in honour of her cousin’s twins. JodieHutson, fromThorneyis set to face some tough terrain when she heads to Iceland in August to take part in an intense fundraising challenge for Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association).

But she knows her painful blisters andsoreankleswillbe nothing compared to the agony her cousin Lauren Smith facedwhensheknewshe’donly be taking one of her identical twin baby girls home.

Ava and Elouise were born in January 2016 - but sadly Elouise did not make it, after being diagnosed with twintwin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

However, despite beingadvised to turn Ava’s life support machine off, she is doing well and recently celebrated her first birthday.

“I’ve had moments in my training where I’ve really struggled,” said Jodie, 27. “But Elouise and Ava are always there in my mind.

“AfewweekendsagoIwent for a walk andI wascovered in blistersandreallyfedup. Then I had this feeling come over me, I can’treallyexplainit, and it urgedmetocarryon. It went from being a really miserable walk to one of my favourites.

“I wouldn’tsayI’mreallyfit, but I wanted to do something that would be a real challenge for me. I don’t think some of my friends truly understand just how difficult this trek is going to be – it’ll be incredibly hard. But Lauren has to live through the pain of los- ing Elouise every single day. I don’t want anyone to have to evergothroughwhatshewent through.”

Lauren said: “When Ava and Elouise were diagnosed, someofthemidwiveshadnever heard of TTTS before. But now almost everyone in our family certainly knows what it is and we hope we can raise awarenessofitsomorepeople know what it is.”

Jodie’s has set up a fundraising page for people to sponsor her efforts. For details visit www. justgiving. com/fundraising/Jodie-Hutson

Jodie Hutson with Ava

Mum Lauren (left) with cousin Jodie and Ava