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Who wouldn't climb 3 mountains for this lovely little man?

Read on to hear why us 4 non walking, non trekking, non -outdoorsy ladies are ditching high heels for something altogether more practical!

In June of last year, our boss Bobbie had the most devastating news any parent could hear. Her gorgeous little boy Dan was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). This is a condition so rare only a handful of children are diagnosed in the UK each year, and even more rare and complicated in babies with Down’s Syndrome.

Dan required 6 months of painful, complicated chemotherapy treatment – it is hard to believe that at just over a year old Dan needed a line inserted into his little heart for the chemo to be administered directly through his heart.

Dan needed 4 courses of chemo, each cycle taking 6 weeks, and needed to stay in hospital the whole time to isolate the leukaemia and protect him from infection; all this during the start of the swine flu pandemic. The family rose to the challenge in the most amazing way, which is no surprise if you know them! They moved into the hospital - Anthony did the day shift, and he and Bobbie took turns sleeping next to Dan at night.

Dan settled into hospital life very quickly, he arrived with a full head of hair and no teeth, and left hospital 6 months later a healthy little boy but with no hair but lots of teeth! During his treatment, the little man worked out very quickly to kick the chemo nurses in their blue uniforms – but not so the play nurses in pink who always got a smile & a kiss – such a charmer and a smart boy! (I think he gets that from his mum!)

Through all this Bobbie came into work each day with a smile on her face, and full of positivity – and has been an inspiration to us all.  We are all on cloud nine that Dan will be celebrating his 2^nd birthday in April – at HOME with Mum & Dad!

Bobbie’s smile is now much bigger these days, and our yummy mummy virtually sparkles now Dan is better!

Considering all of this, climbing 3 mountains, though terrifying and way beyond our current capability, will seem like nothing compared to what little Dan has been through in only 1 a half years of life.

As many of you know, the chemo is often as painful as the cancer and this was certainly the case for poor little Dan, who suffered everything from mouth ulcers, internal bleeding and vomiting blood during his treatment.

Living so close to Birmingham, Dan really has been blessed to receive his treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, one of the best children’s hospitals in the UK, with Ward 15 where Dan was treated being a very special place where miracles do happen.

The family found Ward 15 such a supportive and safe place to be, we want to raise as much money as possible as a way of saying THANK YOU for saving Dan’s life, and to help fund more miracles for more families.

 

So meet our team of specially selected commando’s who will be trekking through the Yorkshire Dales on 12^th June for this very special mission….

All photos were taken during the team’s gruelling and intensive training sessions….

LOUISE – our team leader, the one with the equipment list, our identity disc and sense of humour! (responsible for: emergency chocolate)

JACKY – I would say the sensible one, but as this was all her idea – I'm not so sure! (responsible for : team whistle)

LISA – someone once said she is as mad as a box of frogs but she makes good cakes, the team are relieved to hear she has promised to leave the live explosives alone for this adventure! (responsible for bivvy bag & team hats)

JACQUI – our mistress of disguises, and team 'water' monitor! (responsible for kendal mint cake)

Our 'support team' will include Bobbie, Dan & Bronwen on cheerleading duties at the start & finish lines

 

So please, get those credit cards out and help us to help others by donating as much as you can.

So please dig deep and donate now.