Story
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In 2009, at my 20 week scan, my little girl Holly was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallots. This was our first baby, so as first time parents we had the usual worries that any new parent may experience, but this diagnosis came as a real shock. At the time, it didn't matter what the 'odds' of a successful repair were, or how many times they may have completed this surgery in the past - it felt like our world had come crashing down.
The Brompton hospital provided us with a family liaison officer and supported us through the remaining pregnancy, and our lives changed forever when Holly was finally safely born. The months following were exhausting as any new parent will tell you, but the emotional strength we had to find to 'hold it together' in those first 8 months was immense. We were lucky that Holly was strong enough to hold off surgery until 7 months, when she was finally admitted to the Brompton for a full repair.
I still remember in such detail the drive to the hospital, admitting Holly to the Children's Ward, and entering our own hospital accommodation that would be our home for the next week. The sounds, smells and images still stay so strong with me, even now - 4.5 years on. Surgery was the longest 7hrs of our lives, and walking in to ICU to see our beautiful little baby girl connected to what seemed like a 100 tubes, with machines beeping away, was one of the hardest things we've ever had to do.
But, the following days and weeks were made so much more bearable, with the amazing support we were given by the Brompton Staff. The ICU team are just incredible. The happiest moments in the hospital were spent with Holly in the 'Sensory Room', where she could watch bubbles and changing colours, rather than stay in her hospital bed all the time. This room was the result of many people fundraising for the Brompton and was worth it's weight in gold.
Holly still has her 18 month check-up's with the Brompton team, and at some point in her teens, she will undoubtably have to have heart surgery again. The Brompton Foundation is therefore obviously close to our hearts - a charity that does all it can to support families like us and help where they can to make things easier.
It was a momentous occasion when Holly started school in September - she is a healthy, confident and happy little girl, which is a joy to see. So 2015 is going to be a year of challenging myself, in order to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful charity. As you read this, there will be hundreds of other families just like us, that will be in desperate need of their support - as we will again one day. I am going to have some amazing friends helping me along the way, and I would like to thank in advance Gemma Lee, Laura Donnellan and Lucy Denham who have all agreed to join me on the first Back 2 The Trenches mud run in March. Gemma will be joining me for every challenge this year, for which I am truly grateful.
The March run will be the first of my challenges, so as my challenges are posted throughout the next year, please dig as deep as possible £1-£1000, it doesn't matter - every penny counts and brings me one step closer to my target, and will really help to keep me motivated! I will be finishing my fundraising at the end of February 2016 - not sure what the challenge will be yet, but will keep you posted!
Thanking you in advance, from the bottom of my heart :)
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