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***PLEASE NOTE*** DUE TO JUSTIN'S BACK INJURY WE HAVE TAKEN THE DECISION TO DEFER OUR PLACES UNTIL NEXT YEAR. A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED SO FAR! WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND RAISE FUNDS FOR THE BHF AND LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING PART NEXT YEAR!
Thank you for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
On 17th April we will be running the Virgin London Marathon raising funds and awareness for a fantastic charity!
We are raising money for THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Here's why -
On 26th July 1998 our gorgeous Gabriella made her grand entrance into the world! Around 50% of babies with Down's Syndrome have associated heart defects and as you may know soon after her birth Gaby was diagnosed as having a major congenital heart defect, an AVSD.
From the moment that she was born Gaby was in heart failure and required major open heart surgery. We spent the next 16 weeks tube feeding our tiny baby with extra calories and anti-sickness medication. She was on a strict regime of drugs which took 7 hours every day to administer. Thankfully with the help and support of the Special Care Baby Unit at Milton Keynes Hospital we were able to care for Gaby ourselves at home. Along the way there were several terrifying times where Gaby's heart failure almost took over, and she was eventually admitted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford by emergency ambulance where her surgery took place.
November 10th 1998 was the worst and best day of our lives. Waiting for Gaby to return from the operating theatre was excruciating, each minute seemed like an hour. We eventually got her back after 8 hours, her surgery was a success and since then Gaby has recovered fully. Further surgery may be required but we will cross the bridge when and if we come to it.
Gaby had a long stay in Oxford and without the help and support of the BHF trained nurses, doctors and surgeons it would have been so much more difficult for us all.
The British Heart Foundation spend millions every year on research, training professionals and supporting families like us. To continue this amazing work they rely on donations from people like you as without these funds the work cannot continue.
On 26th July 1998 our world changed forever and we wouldn't have it any other way! As you can see from her photo Gaby is now a gorgeous 12 yr old!
Your donations and support mean the world to us, so please if you can dig deep and join us for every step of the 26.2 miles. We promise to do our best!
Whatever the size of your donation it will be gratefully received.
We really do need your help (especially Jus!)
Thank you so much!
Best Wishes
Michelle and Justin Boggis x x
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 - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.