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Hi, I'm Mandy (Abbie's Mum) and I've set up this page to try to raise funds for 'When you wish upon a star' by completing two challenges, the first of which involves a group of 25 of us climbing Snowdon on June 25th.

We have chosen this charity because it's extremely close to our hearts. Our youngest daughter, Abbie (15) was diagnosed with a large Brain Tumour on 17/10/02 when she was 7 years old. Since then Abbie has been through so much, she had two brain surgeries in 2002 followed by 14 months of chemotherapy. During this time she also had six operations, three major infections, blood transfusions, constant blood tests, hearing tests, kidney function tests etc. It was a terrible time for all of us including Emma her older sister (now 19). At one point when Abbie was in hospital she was approached by a representitive of the charity and asked if she wanted to go and see Santa in Lapland!! Just a few weeks later Abbie and her Dad Rick spent a magical day with Santa at his home.

Abbie had a few better years with only scans and consultants appointments until 2009 when her tumour had grown significantly and had also spread to other areas of her brain. Abbie had to endure more surgery which has caused her yet more problems, Abbie is now registered blind, she struggles with her audio memory as well as many other day to day difficulties.

Throughout all this time we have had many wonderful people to support us, medical staff, teachers and people like Barbara (the charities founder), who had never even met us but showed us so much love and support and whom I now consider a friend. The highlight of the last nearly 9 years, and yes there have been lots, was that Abbie and Emma got to meet McFly, Abbie's favourite band, without the charities help we could have never made this happen for her.

We are also blessed with amazing family and friends who along with us are climbing Snowdon, each facing their own challenges, none more so than Abbie who is our star guest! Our team consists of Abbie Sims, Mandy and Rick Sims (Mum and Dad), Emma Sims and Niall Christie (Sister and her boyfriend), Bob Tierney (Grandad and oldest member at 69), Dave, Lisa, Oliver and Hannah Sims (Uncle, Aunt and cousins who are also raising funds for cancer reasearch in memory of Christine Sims, Oliver, Hannah, Emma and Abbie's Gran and also Auntie Olive), Simon, Caroline, Anna and Marcus Topham (honourary Uncle, Aunt and cousins and Marcus is the youngest at 11), Kate, Dave, Harley and Conor Andrews (special friends with whom extensive training has been undertaken in Florida!), Teresa,Josh and Kyran (new climbing friends, thanks), Karen Lea (special friend who also has a daughter that went to Lapland), Suzanne and Chloe Peach (special friends who are raising money for Neuroblstoma, Suzannes daughter and Chloes sister Kelsey was treated for this childhood cancer and is now doing amazingly well) and last on the list but certainly wont be last to the top is a wonderful lady, Tina Preston, who is raising money for Sutherland house (see Tina's fundraising page on bemycharity/tinapreston).

Without our family and friends we would certainly struggle but the support of When you wish upon a star is a support to the whole family as each and every member of the child's family and friends suffer with them and to see them smile brings a smile to everyones face, so please help us to bring that smile to another childs face, and their family and friends too.

Oh yes I said two challenges; I will be running the full Robin Hood Marathon on September 11th, suprisingly the other 24 climbers were busy!!

Can I also say a huge "Thank You" to all those we hold so dear that can't make the climb, Anne Tierney (Abbie's Nana), Derrick Sims (Abbie's Papa) and Helen, Julie and Graham (Abbie's best friend and her Mum and Dad).

7thJune

Just a quick update, training for Snowdon going well, Abbie, Rick, Dave, Lisa, Oliver, Hannah and I have been walking most Sundays occasionally joined by Emma and Niall. I know that Kate and Teressa have walked home from work, and Kate and family are planning a 'hilly walk' this weekend. Simon, Caroline, Anna and Marcus all have new boots so does Karen but not too sure if Karen has bedded hers in yet! A little birdie told me that Simon is very skinney nowdays, will put that right in August!

I'm only on week three of my marathon training and I have developed a big lump on my foot and tennis elbow, I always think it's good to get the excuses ready, seriously though it's going to be hard work but when I look at the total on this page every bead of sweat is going to be worth it. We already have enough to take two children and thier carers to Lapland, how good is that!! Thank you x 27th June There were 50 aching legs this morning but 25 very happy people! After a hearty breakfast we set off up Snowdon at 10am on Saturday, the fastest member of our team was at the summit in just 1hour 40mins (well you do have long legs Niall!), and the last of our party reached the top after a 6 hour climb, unfortunatly at this point the cafe had closed due to the awful weather and the train had also stopped running, it was very cold rainy and windy and it was sheer willpower now keeping us going! The team encounted cramp, stitch, pulled muscles, bad backs, knees, hips and legs, headaches, feeling sick and also quite a few people had difficulties with looking at the sheer drop! I have to say how incredible proud I am of all of our team, you were all amazing. To everyone that have sponsored us I want to say a big THANK YOU, we are way ahead of our target. I am now on week 6 of my training and running four times a week, currently at 10/11 miles and things seem to be going okay, I really hope you are happy with our efforts. 14th Sept Just an update on the Marathon, training went very well until the day before returning from holiday. I went out for a small run and managed to end up in a spanish A&E department! After they had dressed my hands (both palms had skinless patches) and sewn my knee back up they gave me a tetanus, antibiotics, pain relief and something to stop the swelling!! Luckily we have a friend who is a pharmacist on the island so she sorted me out with the necessary dressings and sympathy. Once home I had to seek the advice of my GP who said that there was no way the stitches where coming out before the Thursday. So, Thursday came and the stitches came out, with only two days to go until the Marathon I thought I had better try it out, it was very sore and started to weep (as did I) and I am so grateful to Rick for all the support and encouragement he gave me, without which I don't think I might have made it. The weather was abit windy but did stay dry, I completed my marathon in 4hours 11mins and 27second, which was slighty over what I had hoped for. It was tremedously difficult from 22miles to around 24miles and I thought about all the children we are going to be able to send to Lapland this christmas and the battles that they face on a daily basis and gave it my best shot. Thank you to everyone who helped us to achieve something wonderful, The Sims and very special guests xxxx