In 2018, we bid farewell to my Grandad, Brian John Morris. He valiantly battled against Sepsis, leaving behind an indelible mark on the lives of his wife Gwendoline, his five children – David, Tracey, Victoria, Amanda, and Charlotte – as well as his cherished grandchildren – Ben, James, Ellen, Jack, and Dan. However, his influence extended far beyond our family; he was a luminary in the North East Community.

My Grandad was not just the head of the family but also the visionary founder of Marbleworks, where he breathed life into marble and stone. From fireplaces, kitchen tops, letter cutting and an array of magnificent creations that adorned homes, churches, bridges and streets across the UK.

In 2019, my Grandad, Michael "Mike" John Halsall lost his battle with sepsis too, once again leaving an incredible impact and inspiration on the lives of his wife Beverly, his two Children, Jonathan and Justine alongside his Grandchildren Jack, Daniel, Zac, Max and William.

Mike, a dedicated rugby player for Percy Park RFC, left a lasting mark not only on his family but on the rugby club, where his name proudly adorned the wall. He was one of the pioneers in his area to embrace computer technology, all while pursuing a successful career in accountancy. Mike's intellect and talent shone brightly as he held the position of Financial Director for Northumbria Water. His most notable achievement was spearheading the Kielder Reservoir project, skilfully negotiating, securing funding from both the European Union and the UK Government, and expertly managing the project to completion.

Sepsis, has not only affected my family but countless others as well. That's why, throughout the month of September, teams of six at Mott Macdonald are taking part in the Steps Against Sepsis event. Our mission is to collectively achieve 2.5 million steps within this month, equating to an average of 13,889 steps per member per day. As of this moment, five days into the challenge, I have personally completed 107,952 steps, averaging 21,590 steps daily. However, we know that the journey has just begun, and there is a long road ahead of us.

Through our fundraising efforts, we aim to shine a light on the fight against Sepsis, raising awareness and prompting the crucial question: "What is sepsis?" By doing so, we hope to prevent thousands of deaths and unnecessary suffering through increased knowledge and awareness of the symptoms. Our efforts also contribute to essential support work, funding public awareness campaigns, educating health professionals, and assisting individuals in adapting to life after sepsis by connecting them with support groups through the UK Sepsis Trust. This organization also tirelessly lobbies the government for vital changes, particularly within the NHS, to further the cause.

Any donations made to support this cause would be greatly appreciated! Together, we can honour the memory of many people such as my Grandad and work towards a world where sepsis is better understood and prevented.

Thank you for joining us in this important endeavour. 😊