This is the heartwarming moment a dad crossed a finish line with his five-month-old son - who survived two weeks in the NICU.

Paul Sahlburg, 32, ran 14km last Friday (April 4) as part of the Good Friday Appeal, which raises money for the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

Paul and his wife Ashlee Sahlburg, 30, spent two weeks in the NICU there with their son Navy, now five months old, after he was diagnosed with meconium aspiration syndrome.

After their experience, the couple felt compelled to give back and Paul, an avid runner, saw the annual charity event as the perfect opportunity.

Paul, a personal trainer in Melbourne, said: "It was more than just a run for me."

"I was really, really happy to cross the finish line with my sons."

"It's something I've wanted to do for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity."

Paul also carried his second son Archie, two, with him over the line.

Paul and Ashlee's youngest, Navy, was admitted to the NICU as a newborn with meconium aspiration syndrome.

The condition occurs when a newborn inhales meconium - the baby's first feces - into the lungs during delivery.

Ashlee, a stay-at-home mum, said: "It was really tough during that time."

"The meconium was covering his entire lungs so he was really struggling to breathe."

"Even if he did make it, we didn't know at that stage if he was going to have lasting brain damage."

"We truly had no idea whether Navy was going to be alright until the eighth day in the NICU."

For the run, Paul rallied support from his community of clients and fellow trainers at the gym.

Ashlee added: "Paul managed to get about 36 people to take part in the run alongside him for the Good Friday Appeal."

"We've set a goal of raising $5,000 (£2,372) by next Friday and are currently at $3,500 (£1,660)."

"I really hope we reach our goal and can help other families like ours."