Bex's ECHO adventure
Rebecca Williamson is raising money for ECHO - Evelina Children's Heart Organisation
Story
The challenge...
Meet Theo Holloway. Now 3 years old and one of the biggest Superhero kids I've had the honour to meet.
I've pledged to run 900km over 9 months. A distance that represents the 900 minutes of open heart surgery that Theo has undergone in his life time so far.
It's a crazy challenge that will see me (just 17 weeks after having my second son Henry) running a total of just over 21 marathons in 9 months.
I will complete my 900th kilometre on Sunday 16th March 2014 in the Fleet half-marathon - Theo's home town. Thanks to the amazing work of the charity that I am fundraising for, he'll be there to cheer me to the finish.
Please, please support the incredible work that ECHO do. And, pass on some of your finest British pounds to keep me putting the distance on the clock! THANK YOU.
The story...
In 2010 (whilst Theo was still being cooked) Elissa and Lee (Superhero parents) discovered Theo would be born with several congenital heart defects. This meant a controlled birth and immediate open heart surgery at Evelina Children's Hospital at St Thomas' in London. It turned out in fact, that in his first three months of life, Theo needed 2 heart operations plus a procedure on his brain to address hydrocephalus caused by haemorrhaging that he suffered whilst on heart by-pass. Theo has just recently recovered from a 3rd open heart procedure and thanks to the amazing surgeons, consultants, nurses and support personnel at the Evelina he passes as any other happy, gorgeous, Mike the Knight loving pre-schooler.
What is ECHO?
ECHO supports children, and crucially the family of children who are treated at St Thomas's for Congenital Heart Defects. They provide sensitive, professional and holistic support to parents and their families facing hugely tough life changing scenarios.
Follow this link for more information http://www.echo-evelina.org.uk/
Why ECHO?
As a friend, watching from the sidelines, this organisation offered Elissa and Lee excellent information when the antenatal diagnosis was made. It enabled them, and us (family and friends), to help us understand Theo’s specific condition and what it meant for the future.
A coping philiopshy is at the heart (pardon the pun) of what this organisation is all about and ECHO put Elissa and Lee in touch with a Mum that had already been through a similar scenario. They were able to speak to her and ask her lots of questions– invaluable!
They also attended an antenatal day, specifically designed by ECHO and specialist midwives for “heart” parents, and were given a DVD. This explained what differences should be expected from having a “normal” labour, birth and initial time with the baby. This also enabled a process of emotional and practical preparation where they could start to see how different things would be for Theo's arrival.
Now that Theo is here, and living life to the full, the incredible support just continues. There are so many questions that keep arising that only “heart baby” patents can answer and understand. This really helps to reduce the panic and stress about the unknown or things that are just different. Elissa and Lee have come to terms with the fact that they have a “heart baby” and that things are, and will be, different to how they ever imagined them to be, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Your support...
Once a donation is made through this site it is sent directly to the charity and where possible ensures that Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.
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.
So please dig deep and donate now.