Watch my story here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4zd98K7Edg

Back in 2016, following an unrelated blood test, my son, Rupert, was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia - a life-threatening deterioration of his immune system. 

Within 2 months he was in isolation at Great Ormond Street Hospital and underwent a bone marrow transplant (BMT).  He ended up being in isolation for 88 days.  However, there were some good times and he got to interview Tim Peake (through glass).  I was keeping this all quiet until Tim released it on his twitter page!

So nearly 7 years later and Rupert is back doing all the normal things a boy of his age should be doing and I’m so incredibly proud of him.

All this is mainly due to one, incredible, anonymous (as was), bone marrow donor who gave my son his life back.  This amazing donor was found through Anthony Nolan and that's why I want to run for them and raise funds and awareness for the amazing work that they do. To give everyone that needs a match to save their life. We were the lucky ones.

I, however, was not a runner and had never done anything like this before in my life.  I hated running at school, but this has been both mentally as well as physically my time to heal.  When I train and hit a hard hill I just think "If Rupert can get through chemo, then I can get up this hill". I now run to raise awareness and funding for Anthony Nolan.

To give you an idea it costs Anthony Nolan £40 to add a new donor to the register, so they are ready to save a life.

Raising awareness and getting more people to register with Anthony Nolan is as important to me as raising the funds.    Donating shows that you you are aware, but spread the word and get your friends, relatives to register (if they can).  They could save a life.  Currently 90% donate stem cells rather than bone marrow, more like giving blood.  https://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-stem-cells