I am raising money for Evelina Children’s Hospital, in particular the Children’s Heart Fund. I plan to raise £8000 with your help.

I am planning on running my way to my abitious fundraising goal. I have already completed a number of races and I am planning another half marathon in May 2012.

The Evelina Children’s hospital (ECH) is the first new children’s hospital in London for over 100 years. Evelina is an amazing hospital full of a variety of caring and expert staff including, consultants, doctors, specialist nurses, play therapist and teachers. It takes a whole range of caring professionals and specialist equipment to take care of the children treated there. There is a hospital school, which both Lucy and her sister were able to attend when she had her surgery, toys galore when visiting as an outpatient and guest rooms to maintain (which enables you to be less than 5 minutes away while your child recovers in the Intensive Care). This level of amazing care is only possible through additional charitable fundraising to support this truly outstanding NHS hospital.

Lucy was born with a serious heart condition on 15 September 2003. She was my first baby, followed 35 minutes later by her twin sister Amy. Lucy was a very rare heart condition and recieves the specialist care she needs at the specialist Evelina Children's Hospital. Lucy went straight to Guys Hospital when she was born, leaving me and Amy behind. She had her first surgery on day two and I did not see her again until day three, as Amy and I were unfortunately in a different hospital. Lucy had her second operation on day six, by which time mum, dad and Amy were able to stay next door to the hospital at Ronald Macdonald House. Since that time Lucy is expertly taken care on at Evelina Children’s hospital. She underwent her first open heart surgery in January 2008. She is an amazing girl and although she has less energy than her peers she has a fantastic spirit and of course a wonderful twin sister Amy. We also now have Ella born in 6 August 2006.

I enjoy fundraising and plan on raising funds for this hospital as my way of staying thank you. A special thank you goes to Mr Simpson, the Consultant which first diagnosed Lucy’s condition when I was 20 weeks pregnant and carefully explains to us each time we meet him how Lucy’s body is coping with her very special heart. Also Catie Chou, a specialist outreach sister who is always able to find me answers to the questions I ask and she even visits Lucy at home when we need her for more personal support. Thanks to many, many more… the registrars, the receptions, the friendly nurses on the ward and in outpatients.

I was inspired to run as a way to raise money for this charity by a very close friend Heidi, who died aged 34 in October 2009. I miss her very much and think of her each time I run. Heidi was so incredibly sporty and supportive. I miss her so much I know she would have been so pleased to know I was running and raising money for a good cause too.

I know that there are so many good causes to donate to and money can be tight, so I would also like to encourage you to register as an NHS organ donor (www.organdonation.nhs.uk) . My motivation is from a personal point of view in that my daughter Lucy may one day need a heart transplant. Did you know that there are currently around 10,000 people on the transplant waiting list, with three people a day dying before they can receive a transplant and only currently 28% of us have registered? Your spare parts could save a life. In 2008 977 lives in the UK were saved through a transplant. When you register please quote my just giving page when it asks where you heard about the register.

God bless and thank you

Love from

Natalie

xxx

PS Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

So please dig deep and donate now.