**FUNDRAISING UPDATE **

Our eldest son, Harrison who is 8 years old, will also be taking on his own challenge to support his little brother. He’ll be running 5 miles (with mum and uncle Joe Joe) on Good Friday, dedicated to Rafferty, to help raise funds and awareness for Sarcoma UK. This will be Harrison’s longest ever run!

His determination to do something meaningful for his brother at such a young age fills us with pride, and shows just how strong the bond between them really is 💙

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“Be Good, Be Brave, Be Strong” – Rafferty Hams, age 3.

Running the London Marathon has always been a dream of mine, but I never had a reason so close to my heart, until now.

Rafferty's Story:

On 29th December 2023, our world was turned upside down when our cheeky, charismatic and loveable son, Rafferty, was diagnosed with a rare type of soft tissue cancer, known as fibromyxoid sarcoma.

It began in January 2023, with the discovery of a small lump that appeared harmless at first. However, this led to months of appointments, including ultrasounds, MRI scans, blood tests, specialist referrals, a misdiagnosis and eventually a biopsy that confirmed our worst fears.

“It’s not good news, I’m afraid it's cancer” is something that no parent imagines they will ever hear. We were utterly devastated and left to process the unimaginable, but through the fear and heartbreak, we had to find the strength to focus on what came next. The days leading up to Rafferty’s surgery were filled with a mix of hope and anxiety. Those moments, though incredibly difficult, reminded us of the resilience we didn’t know we had.

We are extremely grateful that after Rafferty’s surgery and post op results, he didn’t require any further treatment. It was a huge relief for our family, but this doesn’t mark the end of his journey. He will remain under the care of the oncology team, with regular scans/check-ups and monitoring throughout his childhood.

To this day, we have met other families and children who have been affected by the same type of cancer. Each story is unique, but some of these children have faced much more challenging paths than Rafferty. It’s been both humbling and heartbreaking to see how their entire lives have been changed by the effects of surgery and the treatments required to fight this disease.

Now, more than ever, I am motivated to take on the challenge of the London Marathon, not just for the achievement, but to make a real difference. I am running to raise funds for Sarcoma UK, a charity dedicated to supporting families like ours, funding vital research, and raising awareness for this devastating cancer.

Every step I take during training and every mile I run on race day will be for Rafferty, for other children and families battling sarcoma, and for hope—the hope that one day, we will have better treatments, earlier diagnoses, and perhaps even a cure.

Your support means the world to me, to my family, and to those affected by sarcoma. Please join me in making a difference. Together, we can bring hope to those who need it most.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I’m supporting Sarcoma UK, a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue. It is difficult to diagnose and one of the hardest to treat. By supporting me, we can help change this. Your donation will help researchers find answers, keep our Support Line open, and raise awareness to improve treatment and standards of care.

Thank you for your support.