Ronald McDonald House Charities provides free 'home away from home' accommodation at specialist children's hospitals across the UK, enabling families to stay close to their child and maintain a degree of normal family life.

On 23^rd February 2015, our daughter Evie was born 10 weeks prematurely. Having rushed to the PRUH hospital in Farnborough, Kent, Evie arrived quickly but it was clear that she was very unwell and fighting for her life. The doctors immediately transferred her to a Level 3 NICU in King's College, Hospital Camberwell for the necessary treatment. Living in St. Albans (outside of the M25) and having our first child in central London meant we had to figure out how to be with her as much as possible. While figuring out what we could do, the amazing nurses had already applied for us to have a room at RMHC Camberwell, just across the road from the hospital. At this point I had no idea what was going on, it was 2 days after the birth, I was still in the same work clothes and sleeping on hospital chairs. Upon arriving at the house, I was greeted by the friendly staff who showed me around and asked if I needed anything. We ended up staying for 9 days, enabling us to be right next to Evie during the most crucial period, before moving to a third hospital closer to home, where she would continue to show us just how determined she was before coming home. Within the RMHC Camberwell house we found community support with other families and the staff who helped with the day-to-day highs and lows of a parents journey. Without the support of RMHC we simply would not  have got through this traumatic period of time. From that day onwards, we made a promise to do our bit and support the charity in the future.

When the training gets tough, and during the marathon, knowing how much this money will help other families, just like us, will drive me on. I will also be thinking of my superstar daughter Evie every step of the way, she inspires me every day, and I know she will be proud of me taking on this challenge. 

"Together = Better".