I’m running the London marathon!! For a cause so close to my heart. 

My incredible sister Becky works as head nurse at Acorn’s children’s hospice near to where I grew up in Worcestershire. 

A parent never imagines their child will be diagnosed with a life limiting or life threatening condition. But when the unimaginable happens, Becky and her colleagues at Acorns make sick children and their families as comfortable and happy as possible. 

They’re not only providing essential medical care but they work round to clock to provide emotional support; reading the best bedtime stories (Mr Fox Has Lost His Socks), planning the best send offs (bouncy castle optional), helping teens to pick prom dresses and always on the end of the phone at midnight when a mum just can’t believe what’s happening. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone does what they do but I know there is no cause more deserving of support, when they do so much to support others. 

Over the past few years she’s shared stories of all the incredible children she’s cared for with me and these kids are amazing! They make such a big impact on the world even when their time here is short. I hope to tell you more about them as I fundraise.

Acorns relies on the community to fund the almost £10 million it costs to provide the charity's services. So I’m going to run 26.2 miles (with only an ambitious 8 weeks of training) and if you could spare a few quid it’ll be going towards some great things:

£10 can fund garden games and toys for children to get out in the hospice gardens and enjoy being outside. 

£20 is a clay set to make hand and footprints for families to make special memories to keep forever. 

£50 could pay for a specialist transport service to transport children and the medical equipment needed to allow families a day out together; they visit the zoo or the beach for the first time!

£100 is an overnight stay for a family near to the hospice during the toughest times - there are very few specialist children’s hospices in the UK the furthest north is Cardiff!! Families often travel for hours to visit.

£200 could go toward the £975 it costs to provide a nurse-led 24 hour palliative care break for a child in the hospice. Providing parents and relatives vital emotional support and giving children a chance to play together in a homely environment. 

I’m so proud of Becky whose mantra is ‘it’s a privilege to be a part of a child’s last moments’’ and it’s a total privilege to run the London marathon for them too. 

Thank you!!