Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page I am hoping to support a very unique charity by running the London Marathon 2012 which I was very fortunate to get a place in with the help of the charity Sparks. 

For those of you not familiar with the Sparks charity it is best summed up in the words of its president Jason Leonard OBE. 

“Sparks is the only children’s charity to fund medical research into any kind of paediatric condition. Quite simply, that means by supporting Sparks you are joining teams of doctors and scientists throughout the UK tackling a diverse range of opponents. Our goal is to help them beat illnesses like cancer, juvenile arthritis, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, infant brain damage and many many more."

I chose Sparks as its work is very close to my heart and has a resonance with my recent experience whilst giving birth to my twin girls. With particular interest to me Sparks have funded research into the causes and development of chronic lung disease, Sparks aims to help doctors develop effective treatments to prevent chronic lung disease from occurring and the worlds largest study into the causes of clubfoot and  identifying the key genes that rob many children of a fully active life was funded by Sparks.

When submitting my application to run for the charity I wrote a brief explanation of my reasons for wanting to support it and here is that story……

I have four children under the age of 4, Luca who is 4 and India aged 2 both of which are healthy. I also have two non identical twins who were born on Christmas Day 2010, they were 10 weeks premature weighing 3.5lbs and 3lbs.  Before their birth due to complications I spent two long months in hospital fearing the worst, one twin, Kiki whose waters broke and her placenta began to break away at 20 weeks miraculously survived as she was prevented miscarrying by her sister lying beneath her. Both managed to get to 30 weeks but Kiki now does suffer from Chronic Lung Disease and is on Oxygen she is also being treated for a club foot. I spent 84 emotional days in SCBU with Nico and Kiki and know how marvellous the doctors and nurses are and how if it was not for them and today’s medicine my twin girls may not have survived. I am a keen runner and have competed half marathons but would like to push myself beyond my comfort zone to complete the London Marathon and raise valuable funds for a charity that is so personally fitting. 

19th June - So….the training begins, I already run 7ish miles twice a week I have a small group of running friends who have offered to give their assistance and support as I increase my monthly milage targets…… i will keep you all informed on this site as to how I progress

Monday 15th August - The Daily Mail newspaper  - page 3 - the story of Nico and Kiki is run alongside a beautiful photograph of the girls. I am delighted that Sparks also got a mention. I remember being in Tesco's cafe that day and looking around at people reading about them.

Wednesday 24th August - Eagle Radio - on the hour told their story during the News and further information was made available on their website about Sparks and running the marathon.

Friday 26th August - Channel 5 News - lovely segment about the girls but sadly no mention of Sparks or marathon.

OFFLINE DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING

Thank you to.....

(s) Neil and Carolyn - Robert Bion & Co who donated a whooping £1000.00

(s) 20+ super friends who on the 15th October helped fundraise with Sparks Bear mascot, facepainting, lucky dip and balloon modelling in The Mall shopping centre. Together we raised an amazing £800.00

(s) Boots Opticians - who ran a raffle (all proceeds to Sparks) to win a designer pair of sunglasses and gave the charity awareness using Sparks bear to cut the ribbon to their new store on Saturday 12th November. This raised a super doopa £75.00 and they continue to raise money keeping a collection tin on the counter of both Camberley Boots opticians - Thank you Tracey for being Sparks bear, Ali, Caroline and Chey for your help selling tickets on the day.

(s85) Sale of Left Over Lucky Dip Prizes - £100.00

Aubrey & Barbara - £100.00 and who also supported Sparks via the Masonic Lodge with a further £250.00 - Love and kisses to you both xx

Caroline Osborne - £1040.00 - Thank you so much for your kind support

Mary and Peter - £15.00 - Thank you so much

Jenny and Malcolm Mitchell - £40.00 - That is brilliant Thank you

Sale of Mascot - £75.00

Christine - a fellow keen runner thank you - £20.00

Collection Tin Cash - £27.00

Thank you so much Julie - £10.00

Thank you so much Shameen - £20.00

Thank you so much Manuella - £10.00

Thank you so much Meryn - £10.00

Thank you so much to my lovely brother Darren and his family - £100.00 

Cash £58.00