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In December last year one of our sons was admitted to the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh with double pneumonia and had to spend 3 nights in their care. To say that we were worried would be an understatement but thankfully the sick kids were there to see Ethan through his illness to a full recovery.

As Ethans parents, we were allowed to stay with him on the ward night and day and it gave us time to reflect on just how fortunate we are to have such fantastic care available to us at the Sick Kids. It also gave us plenty of time to appreciate how hard the staff work to make the childrens stay as comfortable and enjoyable (if thats the right word) as they can. Although Ethans illness was serious, we were fortunate that he only had to stay in for 3 nights. We can't bear to imagine if he had to stay in for 3 weeks or even 3 months like some children have to. For a young child that must feel like forever.

Ethan got home in time for Christmas and it was then that I started to consider running the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for the Hospital. It sort of started as a thank you but thinking about it now, it goes a bit deeper than that. Having seen some of the poor we souls on Ethans ward and the care and attention that they were given by all of the staff was humbling to say the least. The decision was easy, a no brainer... 

... I am now a few months into my training and it is going reasonably well(ish). I guess I am not really built for distance running but my discomfort training for and running the marathon is minor compared to what some of the children in hospital endure on a daily basis. Please help me help make their time in hospital a bit more comfortable.

More information on The Sick Kids Friends Foundation can be found on: www.edinburghsickkids.org

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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

P.S If you want to donate the traditional way, drop me an email and I will put your details down on the paper forms, remember to give me your address and post code if you want to gift aid your pledge (this adds nearly 30% to the value of your donation as the charity can reclaim the tax on your donation)