Exactly nine years ago, in October 2012, we walked through the doors of GOSH with our daughter Yonina for the first time. As we sat opposite the Neurologist for our initial consultation we allowed our anxious shoulders to drop just a fraction. We felt protected and in safe hands. The doctors could not wave a magic wand but we knew we were in the hands of experts who would do everything in their power to improve Yonina's quality of life and chances of recovery from debilitating seizures that did not respond to medication. Much of Yonina's school day was spent with the school nurse as she slept or recovered from seizures throughout the day. GOSH diagnosed a tumour that if removed would give Yonina the best odds of living seizure free. Yonina spent a week of observation on Koala Ward and she endeared herself to staff with her cheerful demeanour and insistence on wearing colourful scarves to hide the wires attached to her head. We promised then that we would try to help other young people who had to undergo the same surveillance and similar procedures. My marathon run is an opportunity to fulfil this promise.

To determine the effects of her seizures and to be able to weigh this up with the pros and cons of brain surgery, Yonina spent weeks and weeks doing a variety of tests that probed and prodded and drew attention to all the tasks that made life for Yonina so difficult. Needless to say she hated these sessions and it was only the skills of the calm and understanding staff that persuaded her to keep coming back. As a young teenager, Yonina fell into the betwixt and between age, straddling childhood and adolescence. The GOSH team on Koala Ward understood this, and was able to look after the specific needs of a young, sensitive and very private fourteen year old girl. We remember each nurse and doctor who looked after us, all these years later; every tenderness, every kind word. 

Our story is our unique story, but every day, 618 children and young people from across the UK arrive at GOSH. Each day, doctors and nurses battle the most complex illnesses; and the brightest minds come together to achieve pioneering medical breakthroughs. By donating to my 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon page you can help make a difference to the lives of seriously ill children, to help others as we were helped. 

GOSH gave Yonina back her life and she is seizure free and carefree. 

Thank you to GOSH.