For those of you that do not know our family story, we were gifted just over 10 years ago with our youngest son Jack.

Jack was born with 2 rare & life-limiting conditions & owing to their severity, brought with them a host of ‘challenges’ which adversely effect Jacks 'quality of life' on a daily basis. To give you an indication of just how challenging these 'effects' are, the life expectancy for a child with just one of them is around 2 – 3 years.

However, because of the amazing dedicated & continued support from the Teams at Southend Hospitals Paediatric Neonatal & Neptune wards and from the continued treatments administered by Great Ormond Street Hospitals Rheumatology & Immunology Teams, our Jack is here today fighting these conditions & preparing for his 11th Birthday!

Jack has endured Bone Marrow Transplants, numerous painful procedures & continues to receive daily injections, weekly transfusions, multiple trial treatments as well as daily cares to help him combat the various forms of inflammatory physical pain he suffers with. He is by far one of the bravest children we’ve ever known…and believe me, we have been humbled & privileged to know many incredibly brave & inspiring children during our journey. As a result of our becoming so immersed in securing & maintaining ‘our life’ with Jack, we have at times felt that we haven't recognised some of those that help us and & so Jack wanted to in some way address that.

Jack & I have set ourselves a challenge to raise money for an organisation that has done so much for us & for so many others in our community at the most challenging & difficult of times. Little Havens & its staff, volunteers provide care & support to families just like ours all year round and they desperately need our help.

For the record in case it isn't obvious, JACK & I HAVE NEVER BEEN RUNNERS! However, I will be running 155k from the 1st to the 31st December (which averages at around 5k a day everyday) as well as completing 100 press-ups a day too & Jack will also be completing 25k (averaging 5k a week) & 10 press-ups a day alongside me! I can assure you that this will be incredibly difficult at various points for Jack and will in no doubt also cause me some form of physical discomfort too! However, my momentary ‘discomfort’ will bear very little (if any) semblance to the amount of physical & psychological discomfort endured by Children like Jack & the families and patients under Little Havens’ care. We will ‘cut no corners’ no matter what challenges the month brings! Jack is ready for it!!

PLEASE SUPPORT US TO SUPPORT Little Havens! Read below & as you do, realise what a positive impact your donation WILL make to a family. The care provided is absolutely free of charge to those who need it thanks to the kindness of the community...people like you!

£3-5 could pay for craft materials for a session of creative therapy

£20 could pay for a family meal, providing them with a nutritious dinner/lunch which they may not have time to always prepare at home because of the demands of caring for a child who has complex needs.

£29 could pay for an hour of care at Little Havens, providing care during a respite break, emergency stay or support at the end of a child’s/young person’s life

£32 could pay for an hour of creative therapy in our hospice, giving children and young people an opportunity to express themselves through arts and crafts. Often they create keepsakes that can be left for their family once they have passed.

£32 could pay for an hour of music therapy for a child, helping them to express themselves and communicate, not matter what their ability. It can help calm young children and reduce anxiety. Music can help overcome barriers, be that physical, cultural or even language.

£33 could pay for a child’s or adult’s counselling session, helping them to find ways to cope with their grief following the death of a loved one.

£34 could pay for an hour of care in the home of a child or young person, providing personal and therapeutic care. This helps give some respite for their parents/carer so they can relax, do chores such as shopping or spend time with their other children.

Any small donation that you can spare WILL make a difference to a Little Havens Family in the form of a support that they most desperately need!

Thank you

Jack & Rob