Well friends, it's that time of year again when I dig the lycra out of the wardrobe and hit the streets in the build up to completing this year's London Marathon. And I'd like to say that lycra leggings are not the most flattering attire for a 41 year old man! (As those of you that know me will confirm!)

So why do we do it? Of course there is that great feeling of personal achievement when you cross the finish line after running 26.2 miles; but more than that - much more than that - is the immeasurable  sense of feeling you get knowing that you have made a difference and brought a smile to someone's face and made their life better.

So this year I am going to run once again in aid of Liitle Havens Children's Hospice in Essex.

Little Havens provides a range of specialist one-to-one care services for children with life threatening or terminal illnesses and their families throughout Essex and Outer London. It is often the devastating effects on the families in these tragic situations that get overlooked. Constant care is often needed and normal family activities such as mealtimes or going shopping become nigh on impossible. Sibblings can suffer through lack of attention as their Mum and Dad have to devote so much time and energy to caring for their sick brother or sister. Little Havens try to fill this vacuum and provide some semblance of normality to families emotionally and physically devastated by the illness of their child.

The inspiration for my run once again this year will be Liberty Angel Starkey and her family. Liberty sadly passed away aged just 18 months leaving a distraught mother, father and elder sister. Liberty was cared for by Little Havens and the tremendous support the family received gave them great strength and courage at this unimaginably difficult time.

As a parent of two young children I hope and pray that I never have need to call on Little Haven's services but let us all be aware that there are many families out there like Liberty's who do.

Thank you for listening and visiting my fundraising page. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE dig deep (and I'll keep pounding the streets) and help this wonderful organisation continue supporting sick children and their families. 

In memory of Liberty Angel (aka "Rocky"): a beautiful, brave fighter who we all miss greatly but will be forever in our hearts.

Many thanks for your support

David

 

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