As many of you are aware, Benjamin was born with a condition called Epispadias which affects around 4-5 children a year in Great Britain.  This has affected Ben's kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. 

We are very fortunate that Ben is under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children for his condition.  In January 2009 he had a major operation where he was in theatre for 6 1/2 hours and stayed at the hospital for 10 days.  Originally this was to be the first of of 3-4 operations over the next 3 years, however thanks to the expertise of the team at GOSH and Ben, all these operations were done in one.  As a result, Ben will probably not need another operation until he is five.  Ben made a remarkable recovery from his operation.  Over the next 3 years, we will continue to have regular visits to GOSH to check on Ben's progress and to further evolve his care plan as he grows and develops.

Attending GOSH is an incredibly humbling experience for a number of reasons - the other patients and parents you see and meet and the staff that care for your child and support us as parents.  Bizare as it may seem - Ben enjoys his visits to GOSH and is starting to recognise the team who have had and will continue to play a significant role in his life.  Benjamin has a great team looking after him and we owe them a very HUGE THANK YOU and a huge amount of gratitude.  We hope you know who you are rather than embarrass you here.

In order to thank the team that look after Ben so wonderfully (and us as parents whenever required), we would like to raise some money to say THANK YOU.  Ben and I have asked for donations rather than presents this year for our birthdays (I'm assuming this is the only year he will let me do this!).  In addition my great walking buddy (Suzanne) and I are doing the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October and any sponsorship/ donations are greatly received.  This will be a novelty for us walking in the daytime and with more clothes on than when we have done the Moonwalk for the last 2 years.  We are also doing a coffee morning on the 9th October here in Yardley Hastings - we hope to see as many of you as possible so we can say thank you to you through our baking.  And I know some of you have just donated money because ... 

Thank you for supporting us in attempting to give a little something back to a great Hospital

Ian, Judith, William & Benjamin

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.  Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to support us: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.