The time we spent in hospital with Joseph was obviously the most difficult time of our lives, it's impossible to explain the range of emotions that go through your head at a time like that. We had a huge amount of support from friends and family for which we will be forever grateful, without it we would have struggled to cope. However this support also brought home the fact that not everyone has this network available and even with it in place the basic 'logistics' can be a nightmare....

In Scotland there are a very limited number of hospitals that specialise in child care, the Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Children is one. Children from all over Scotland are transferred to EHSC when the local hospital can't cope. This often, as we know only too well, results in families having to divide their time between where they live and the hospital, often for weeks and months on end. The Sick Kids Friend's Foundation provides essential support to families at EHSC, the services that they supply are a vital part of helping families cope with what can be an incredibly difficult time. As well as parental accommodation they provide all manner of support including, presents for children in hospital, ward visits by 'clown doctors', somewhere for siblings to go and play, coordination of services etc. The basic concept of this organisation is that whilst they aren't going to find the cure for a horrible disease they are going to make sure that families from all over Scotland who sadly find themselves having attend the Hospital will have support in place when they need it. Ideally all this would be provided by the NHS... but it isn't, its funded by charity!

We had a great deal of help from the 'Friend Foundation' and, after we lost Joseph, I like many people many people wanted to 'give something back'. It therefore seemed appropriate that if I was to raise money in memory of Joseph it should be for this very worthwhile cause.

In June 2010 I and a friend cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats in ten days, it was a journey of 950miles and we raised an amazing total for which I thank everyone who contributed, I feel very humbled by the support we received.