Updated on Apr 17th 2011 at 5:33 PM from the JustGiving API

Hi all you lovely people! I made it in the end - despite getting a touch of heatstroke in the 2nd half which meant I spent an hour or so prostrate in various st johns ambulance areas. Had to walk the 2nd half - felt sick every time I tried to run! But I made it! And due to some incredibly generous donations whilst I was running - we made our target for Rett UK too- so thank you all very much xxjill

Updated on Apr 17th 2011 at 7:41 AM from the JustGiving API

Up at Blackheath - sitting on the grass at the mo!

Updated on Apr 17th 2011 at 6:38 AM from the JustGiving API

On the train up to Blackheath bright and early - lovely morning! See if I can reach the target while I am running though I will switch my mobile to silent so I don't keep getting distracted by alerts to new donations! Very exciting!

16th April - over 75%!!  Fantastic support for a very worthy cause - thank you SO much! xx

 Natalie and Matthew Slater's  beautiful daughter Esmé (in the lovely photo)  has Rett Syndrome, and if I can help even a little bit with some fundraising for her and this very underfunded charity it would be fantastic...

 

Here is what her Mum Natalie says:

 

'Our daughter, Esmé, who is 5 years old, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome when she was 2 ½ after genetic testing. 

 

Esmé is unable to walk or talk, and is reliant on others to meet all her daily needs.  Yet she is one of the happiest girls you will ever meet.

 

 Rett Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder affecting mainly females, and is estimated to affect one in every 10,000 – 15,000 live births.  Although present at birth, it often remains undetected until major regression occurs at around one year of age, when children lose skills such as walking and talking, and become increasingly anxious and distressed.

 

  There are many complications associated with the syndrome, such as breathing disorders, seizures, orthopaedic abnormalities such as scoliosis, digestive disorders, difficulty in eating, chewing and swallowing, disrupted sleeping patterns, extreme anxiety, impaired cardiac function, Parkinson-like tremors, and sudden and unexplained death. 

 

Most children with Rett Syndrome now survive into adulthood, but become increasing disabled, needing 24 hour care for the rest of their lives.  Whilst the prognosis has always been poor, we have been given new hope from reversal experiments carried out in 2007 on mice, which with further research, could make Rett Syndrome the first curable brain disorder.

 

We ask for your support of Rett UK, who actively funds research projects, as well as offering advice and support of families affected by Rett Syndrome.'

Several years ago I promised Natalie and Matt  that if I were ever lucky enough to get another place in theVLM  I would raise some money for Rett UK and Essie.

  

 

Belatedly - this is that year! I'm sorry it is so close to the wire timewise but it has been touch and go as to whether I could actually run the Marathon or not.  Now my decision is made - yes I AM running it - so let the fund raising begin! No time for indecision - please sponsor me and help Esmé and others like her!

Please help!