Rycroft Alport Foster, our beautiful baby boy, died in June 2023, aged just 16 months old, from an infection while recovering from a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant that was his only chance of life due to the severity of his genetic condition - Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS).

On 16th March, I will be donning my running shoes and taking part in the Colchester Half Marathon, aiming to raise money in memory of our beautiful son Rycroft, who passed away in 2023 from complications following a bone marrow transplant.

For years, running has been an important part of my weekly routine. Rycroft spent a lot of time in hospital in his short life, but thanks to the wonderful play and nursing teams at Colchester and Great Ormond Street, even when he was admitted I was often able to go for a run whilst he was looked after on the ward.

Being able to get out to Highwoods Country Park for half an hour, or running around the Lincoln’s Inn and Russell Square of an evening was crucial for my mental health and helped get me through some of the toughest months of my life.

I am aiming to raise funds which will be split between our three Rycroft charities; Colchester Hospital Children's Ward, Great Ormond Street Hospital and SDS UK.

It has meant so much to us that so many people have shown how much Rycroft means to them, and to be able to help other children like Rycroft, other families like ours.

Whether you can donate, or just share his story with other people, we can't thank you enough.

Catherine xxx

Rycroft's Mum