When Andrew died, my world turned upside down, and it shook our family to the core. Andrew had suffered with kidney failure all his life, but in a way, that made it more of a shock, he’d always fought through, he’d always got better. As a family, we’d always been so positive, it made us resilient, it’s what we did. Andrew was always so determined, so positive. When he’d gone, it made me start to doubt everything.

Losing a sibling is to lose that person that knows you inside out, someone that perhaps knows you better than you know yourself, because they have lived though all it too. Someone that no matter how much you bicker and make fun of each other, when it comes down to it, would always be in your corner. Who was going to remind me of the silly things we’d done together, or the music we’d listened to, films we’d watched, places we’d been? Who was going to start a game of ‘how many Quality Street can you balance on your face’ when life got too serious? 

When I run the marathon it will be 4 years, almost to the day that Andrew died. It is huge challenge for me, being a complete non runner a year ago, but I’m hoping it will reignite that belief that anything is possible, and to keep alive the family optimism, positivity and gritty determination that Andrew showed every day. 

One of the letters we received after losing Andrew was from a Sister that had looked after him as a baby in hospital. In it she said how pleased she was that we had had Andrew with us for so long given how ill he had been then. Her words have stayed with me - we owe a lot to the medical profession.

Last week, William came running through to show me the full page of Liverpool Match Attax cards he had in his book. He said ‘Uncle Andrew would be so pleased’ – Liverpool was Andrew’s favourite club. William was 2 when Andrew died, but he still knows him, and that means the world to me. Each night Edward asks for a story before he goes to sleep, the most popular request is for funny ones with Uncle Andrew in – I’m amazed at how many have come back to me. Andrew is still with us, and very much a part of our family. 

I’ve thought long and hard about doing something so public, those of you that knew Andrew will know that he hated ‘face tube’, and didn’t like people knowing he was ill. But, although he would think I was crazy, I know that he would have been there on the 22nd April, cheering me on. And, without the amazing people in the medical profession and the work of Kidney Research, I simply wouldn’t have had a big brother growing up. That’s a lot to be thankful for. So, I’ll be running for Andrew, for me, for my amazing Mum and Dad, and for Kidney Research. Hopefully the money raised will mean that someone else has their brother with them for a little longer too.

Thanks so much for reading this far, any support (either donations or roadside cheering!) will be greatly appreciated,
Hx

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.