Here are the prem baby Cross Country Champions. from left to right, Olivia Haines 5 wks premature and a twin. Neve Jarnell, 6 weeks premature and Frankie Elliott born at a precious 14 1/2 weeks premature in Wellington Hospital.
When these three 8/9 year old Te Horo School girls came first, second and third in this years school cross country, we parents and the school quickly realised that this was a very special achievement that we wanted to share with all families of premature babies and also the Neonatal ward staff, as this is very much your achievement too.
Next was the Otaki inter school event where all three placed in the top ten and qualified for the Kapiti Interschools competition. Still going strong, Olivia and Frankie came 4th and 7th earning themselves a place on the Kapiti representative team to compete in an 800 child regional event at Trentham in July. Here Olivia and Frankie had the best fun and earned 35th and 45th places in a field of 90 proving they can do absolutely anything.
Neve, Frankie and Olivia all live in and love the outdoors life at Te Horo Beach. Between them they snowski, swim, do ballet, horse trek, competitive show jumping and have been able to run or cycle two kms down their wild beach backyard since they were little 2 year olds, just for fun. As Frankie’s Mum, it has been really hard at times to let her, but I quickly learnt to just enjoy her building her fitness, which we attribute her great health too now. We celebrate each of her new achievements, some of which can be really big!
Written by Frankie’s Mum, Jackie
