Update 18th May 2008

Today, Team "Amazing Grace", consisting of 18 runners, completed the Woodley 10k Road Race.

We estimate that the team has raised at least £4,500.  What a fantastic achievement!

The day was a great success....

The COSMIC Stall in Woodford Park raised £360, with a Tombola, Name the Teddy and Guess how many Sweets in the Jar!  We also succeeded in bringing COSMIC to the attention of many more people.

For my part, I was smiling for the entire day, even during the run!  It was a fantastic feeling to see everyone there, with Grace on their T-shirts, having put in many hours of training on behalf of COSMIC, and us.

I would like to thank everyone for the effort that you have gone to.  It is only because of friends and family like you that we are able to continue pursuing our goal; which is to keep Grace uppermost in everyone's minds, and to raise essential funds to help the PICU give other very poorly children an even better chance of survival.

With heartfelt thanks

Natalie x

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WHO ARE WE, WHAT ARE WE DOING AND WHY?

We are a team of nineteen who have joined forces to raise funds for COSMIC, the charity associated with the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington.  Our reason for undertaking this 10K run resides with Grace Bradburn (to your left) who was treated and cared for with the utmost dedication and love by all at the PICU.

Grace contracted chicken pox which then became so severe that she was admitted into the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on her first birthday. Her condition worsened in the week and she was transferred by emergency ambulance to the PICU.  Grace fought for life for over three weeks but sadly lost her battle and died at the unit on 24th April 2007.

From the research carried out following the loss of Grace, it was discovered that she was missing a vital gene needed to fight viruses like chicken pox.  This finding has provided her family with much needed answers, and will allow the medical profession to better understand the workings of the immune system.

The money we will raise will pay for ongoing research, in addition to life saving equipment and support for families during their time in the PICU.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: COSMIC will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, please "Gift Aid" your donation, so that an extra 28% in tax can be added to your gift at NO EXTRA COST to you.

Thank you so much for your support, your donation will make a very real difference to many critically ill children and their families.

Team 'Amazing Grace'.

To take a look at COSMIC's work, please visit www.cosmiccharity.com.

For Grace's full story, please visit www.justgiving.com/gracebradburn.