Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On Sunday 25th April I can't believe I have decided to run the London Marathon, this is in aid of Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) a charity which is very close to my heart.  I recently completed the Silverstone half marathon as part of my preparation, and I am determined to get round London with the same strength and determination that my son Jake has shown all his life.

As most of you now know its been nearly 4 and a half years since Rochelle and I found out that our son Jake was diagnosed profoundly deaf.  The grief and despair were overwhelming.  With our world shattered we didn't know if Jake would be able to hear, speak or even just simply say the word Daddy ever.  We didn't know where to turn.

We were then introduced to Jacqueline Stokes at Auditory Verbal, then one of only 2 auditory verbal therapists in the country. Jake started auditory verbal therapy when he was 3 months old and has been going ever since.  AV has taught Jake to learn through listening and given us the hope and belief that he will be able to lead a normal life like his peers.

Auditory Verbal ^UK is a national charity which teaches deaf babies and children to listen and speak using Auditory Verbal Therapy, so that they can achieve their potential in life.

A deaf baby is born in the UK every 12 hours. In early years, children with a hearing impairment are given access to sound through hearing aids and cochlear implants, but need to be taught during infancy how to listen and communicate. After three years of parent-focused Auditory Verbal Therapy, over 80% of the deaf and hearing-impaired children will close the language gap and enter mainstream schools. 

Jake has since had 2 cochlear implants and is at mainstream school, and we spend most of the time telling him to be quiet and stop talking to himself in bed and go to sleep.  Only last week Jake graduated from AV and I would really like to give something back for all the hard work they have put in for us and Jake to get where we are now.

So please find it within you to dig deep and donate now.

Many Thanks.

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