We are running the Goring 10k as a fund-raiser for Auditory Verbal UK. This will be a challenge for us both as neither of us have ever run this type of challenge ever. However we wish to raise money and awareness for the very worthwhile charity AV UK, which has played a major part in changing our family's life.

Our son, Hugh was born profoundly deaf, which meant he could not hear a jumbo jet landing nect to him (if this ever happened!). With the best hearing aids he could hear low sounds if they were very loud, and the expectation would be for communication with signing, and special education.

Hugh however attended AV UK where the enthusiasm and positivity from age 2 weeks, supported both him, his older marvellous sister Emma, and ourselves during a very difficult time. He attended regularly which led to development of the basic concepts of language, listening and communication (all of which we took for granted for Emma). He received a cochlear implant aged 10 months, which was very early, and has gone from strength to strength - attending normal school, reading, playing tennis, sailing, learning the piano and singing, ski-ing and even taking the role of Joseph in the recent Nativity play. None of this was conceivable to any of us when he was born and diagnosed.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.