Last year I did the Manchester 10k for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal and I said I would NEVER do another one. "I am far too old, far too unfit and far too busy" I thought!  Little did I know........................

When Mike Hymanson, Chairman of Destination Florida, asked me to do it again this year for Destination Florida how could I say no?

Manchester Law Society have supported Destination Florida, a small North West based charity, which takes children with life threatneing and chronic illnesses, on the holiday of a life time in the past.

They have asked me on a few occasions in the past to go on one of their trips as a volunteer carer. 

To set the scene the trips to Florida are every two years (this is becuase it takes costs so much money to fund each trip).  You have to apply in the January to be a carer and yet again, last year,  I didn't.  I thought well its October, its half term I'm busy at work etc.  In July (at my birthday lunch!)  Mike told me that someone had had to drop out and would I consider going.

Peter (my hubby) and Jack (my son) both said yes and so there I was, on October 28th, bright and early, at Manchester Airport ready to go to Florida, wondering what on earth I had let myself in for and what was going to happen.

There were 76 children and over a hundred doctors, nurses, volunteer carers and admin staff.

It was THE BEST nine days of my life ever.  (Apart from having Jack and marrying Peter - just in case they are reading this!)

To see the children grow in confidence (and excitement) throughout the trip was amazing.  At the airport they were quite excited, but at the same time, quite scared - some have never left their parents sides or even been on an aeroplane before.  Lots of the children spend the majoirty of their time in hospital as in patients, or having treatment or appointments and their whole lives, and quite often, the lives of their families and carers revolve around their illness.

Not to have to worry about their illness or have that as their one defining thing, as everyone was in the same boat, was fantastic.  As adults we say to new people we meet "what do you do, where are you from etc"  The kids would say to each other "what have you got?" And then move on and make friends.

To see them at all the parks, doing rides and things their parents would probably never let them do, making friends, trying new experiences, having the time of their little lives was awe inspiring.

It was the most incredible nine days.  I have never worked so hard and been so emotionally and physically drained and at the same time I have never felt so humbled, inspired and lucky.

To be able to do something to raise money to help take more children to Floriday next year is something I couldn't say no to. 

I hate running and am really bad at it!  But I am determined to do it to put a smile on some little one's face in Florida.

I have decided that I am going to do it as quicky as I can this year.  Last year I did it in 70 minutes.  I really want to try and get round in 60 minutes this year and to make sure I do as well as I can I have GIVEN UP SMOKING, stopped drinking and am eating healthily!!!  I am thinking of joining a convent soon and changing my name to Sister Frances Mary Immaculata!  You may see me running in my habit, but running I will be!

I know that you get lots of requests from people to give to charities and I would be so grateful if you could what ever little bit of support you can to this wonderul charity.  I have seen, first hand, the wonderful work that is done and how the trip really does make a difference to the childrens lives.

Thanks so much for taking the time out of what I know will be your very busy day 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.

With my love, thanks and best wishes

Fran xxxxxx