LEXY’S LEGACY 

I became aware of Alexander (Lex/Lexy) through his uncle whom I used to go to school with via a Facebook page he had set up to raise funds for Lexy's treatment (the total of which stands in the region of £60,000.00. Lex's family have always said that if the funds were not used for Lex then they would be split between other charities which they felt close to  - amongst them Sheffield Children’s Hospital where Lex had spent so much time and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice where Lex spent a respite week and then went back for his final few days). Personally, I have never lost anyone close to me and have a have only known a handful of people who have either lost their battle with cancer or are fighting it right now so in that respect I consider myself very fortunate. Animals (especially dogs) have always been the heart string puller for me. That was until I started to follow Lex and witness the pain and suffering this adorable little boy was enduring. I can honestly say I was hooked from the first picture I saw of him and have frequently sat at my desk in the office crying my eyes out reading things people had written to his parents to try and ease their pain and to give them strength. To say I felt helpless was an understatement....to see Lex's parents being tortured on a daily basis but absolutely refusing to give up and a little boy so poorly yet continuing to smile and keep fighting affected me so much and I prayed every night that there would be a miracle and a cure could be found. January 25 2013 was a very sad day for lots of people and although Lex was no longer suffering I just felt unable to 'let go'. 

The Neuroblastoma Society had originally approached Mark (Lex's dad) via the Facebook page and asked if he would consider running the Brighton Marathon which he said no to because understandably it was too soon. Myself and a few others then offered to take his place and after emailing Sue at TNS I was offered a place for Brighton. Exactly 1 week after Lex passed away they emailed me and said one of their 10 places had become available for the London Marathon and would I like to take it instead of Brighton which I did. Lex has such a massive following on his Facebook page (over 5,000) and although others have done lots of amazing things to raise funds for various charities (I think we have a 71 year old skydiver!!) wouldn't it would be amazing if once a year everyone could donate just £10.00 to ‘Lexy's Legacy’ for the marathon run and this could then become HIS legacy....It would raise awareness but most of all his memory would be kept alive and we would be doing it for him. I have emailed Lex's parents and have their full blessing to try and get this off the ground.....

I'm training hard again now the snow has gone, bought my new running shoes (orange of course for Lex) and virtually become a teetotal road running freak who has now turned her road rages away from cyclists and onto motorists!!!! April 21st 2013 will be the first lap round with the baton (yes a 26.2 mile lap!) so all we need now is volunteers for the next 10 years and everyone to part with just a tenner!