Hello friends,

As some of you are aware I recently had bilateral pneumonia - which was 10 days in hospital and a long recovery period that I am into. This sadly means I have not been able to train for the past month or so. I am hoping that I will get the all clear by mid September and can start training again.

Thus I cannot participate in the event in September as planned. BUT I have a promise to you that I will do all the lengths that I was planning in one swift (well one kinda swift) movement before the end of the year. I will swim in the pool and then run and cycle outside. This maybe not be what you signed up for (and I am very sorry for that) but the mean event organisers wont let me transfer the registration fee and I dont want to pay £100 to do it again. 

I cannot workout how to email you all and I cannot work out how to give a refund if you wanted but I hope you will all understand.

Many thanks

Sarah

I am supporting Just4Children who are raising funds for Isabella Rainbow Bright, 3, from East London. To do this I am doing something so VERY FAR from my comfort zone - a triathalon, it may not be a full one but physically and mentally this is a huge challenge for me. 

I am starting fundraising early as I am told that a good cause will keep me working hard on my prep - and I cannot imagine a better cause! Those who know me well will understand that a) I need motivation and b) I need at least six months to get ready for this!

When Isabella was born I was in Mozambique working on a cyclone response - all of a sudden my perspective changed, and supporting Isabella and her parents (Sarah and Brighty) who happen to be my very bestest of friends was a priority. To date, other than making her laugh, playing with her and sharing wine and food with Sarah and Brighty, I have not been able to do much. But, now I can do something and support them to raise money to support this life changing surgery.

Isabella was born premature at 24 weeks. This tiny warrior survived collapsed lungs, brain bleeds, countless blood transfusions, and worst of all, a life-threatening illness to her gut, requiring multiple emergency surgeries. But after 6 months’ fighting, she came home. Since then
Isabella has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP).

By two, Isabella was still not walking. Her parents were told she may never walk on her own. But, from the moment she was born, Isabella had a dogged determination in everything she did. Doctors and physios told us this attribute was her greatest asset.

After a while Sarah and Brighty were excited to see that she could stand on her own. For a minute, then two, then ten. Then she could bend down. Finally, she took her first steps – one of the happiest moments in the Brights’ (and my) lives.

Now she has been accepted for once in a lifetime, transformational spinal surgery - SDR - which will remove the tightness in her legs that prevents her from moving them freely. After surgery, the real work will begin as she rebuilds underdeveloped muscles. This takes years of intensive physio, much of which isn't NHS funded. 

This the one shot at giving her independence. Isabella is a beautiful social soul who loves to dance with her walking aid. We can’t wait to watch her dance all on her own, and I cannot wait to dance with her.

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