This year, I am taking on the London Marathon in memory of our beautiful daughter, Sophie Charlotte Francis, who died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer - a malignant rhabdoid tumour - when she was just 7 months old.

Every step I run is for her and for the children and families who need support through the hardest times.

I am raising money for two incredible charities who supported us when we needed it most.

I’d be very grateful if you could donate to support both of them, by clicking on "Give now" and donating to both charities separately.

💙 Shooting Star Children’s Hospices 💙

Shooting Star Hospice gave us invaluable advice and support at the end of Sophie’s life. They took care of her when she died, keeping her in a “cold cot”, allowing us to visit her when we needed the final few days to feel ready to say goodbye for ever.

The Shooting Star team then provided us with bereavement counselling and therapy for many months afterwards.

All of their support was invaluable to us in our time of need.

The charity provides essential care at their hospice for children with life-limiting conditions and supports their families. It’s a truly amazing place.

www.shootingstar.org.uk

🧡 Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust 🧡

GKCCT supports families affected by rare childhood cancers, funding vital research, working with families with children going through cancer treatment, and raising awareness for early diagnosis. I am proud to be a trustee for the charity, I have greatly enjoyed supporting the excellent team for the last 2 years.

The charity was set up by Jen Kelly in 2017, the mother of Grace Kelly, who sadly died from the same cancer as Sophie. She has given us personal support since we discovered the charity and are very grateful for that.

We are passionate about fundraising for research in to the specific very rare cancer that Sophie had. Research into diagnosis and treatments for childhood cancers is poorly funded, while childhood cancer remains the biggest medical cause of death of children in the UK. There is so much that needs to be done.

www.gkcct.org

Jen and I set up funds in Sophie’s memory with both of these amazing charities shortly after she died in 2017.

Both of these charities carry out life-changing work, and your support means the world to us. Please donate and help to make a difference.