Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In September last year our lives were turned upside down when my daughter Louise was diagnosed with a brain tumour. A swift diagnosis took us straight to Manchester Childrens Hospital where we were faced with the operations and treatment she would need. Although it was very daunting and in some parts terrifying we were put at constant ease by amazing teams of doctors and specialst nurses amongst other incredible services available to us. One of those was the Ronald Macdonald House Charity.

Although Manchester isn't a million miles away, the location of the hospital meant it took around an hour each way to get there. Because of the seriousness of Louises condition we felt as a family I was needed at Manchester permanantly. At one point she was having scans, blood tests, and constant surveillence to monitor pressure and swelling in her brain, as her mum I felt I couldn't leave her, even for a few hours to visit home. It meant I missed my 3 year old Alexander incredibly, but Tommy and my eldest son Daniel held the fort at home juggling work, caring for Alex, housework and meals etc.

Ronald Macdonald House gave us a family room to use for the duration of Louises hospital stay free of charge. This meant Tommy could bring Alex every weekend to stay so we could be together as a family. The building had fully kitted out kitchens and dining areas so we could have our meals together, a play room for Alex as well as TV  rooms, games room and a sculptured garden area. Although I slept on the pull down parents beds in the hospital next to Louise it gave me somewhere to shower, wash clothes, and just get 10 minutes to have coffee in a calm environment ( and sometimes a little cry!!!).

The staff were always lovely and helpful and this was a free of charge service provided by this charity. We were struggling financially because I had suddenly had to give up work and university with no warning whatsoever so we were so thankful to have all this available.

Louise is now making an amazing recovery and is back at school. She has been left with some nerve damage from the final operation and has regular visits to physio, OT and speech and language for this. She also will be monitored regularly by Manchester Childrens Hospital .

This experience has been made so much easier by the help from the Ronald Macdonald House Charity and I am privilaged to be able to run Manchester Marathon to raise funding for them. It's only my second marathon and my fitness isn't any where as good as it should be after spending months sat in hospital. Those who know me know i'm out whatever the weather training to build up my mileage.

Please give as much or as little as you can afford to help this amazing charity.