Last year my son Elias was born but at 3 days old he rushed in an ambulance to Addenbrooks hospital in Cambridge to receive specialist treatment. As soon as my wife was discharged from hospital we drove for over an hour to get to see him, a drive that felt like a lifetime wondering what was happening and whether he was ok. The following morning he had an operation to save his life...

Recovery in the neo natal intensive care unit from this particular operation was to be slow and arduous with instances of uncertainty as to whether he would survive given his age and the impact of such an invasive procedure he had endured. Needless to say we did not want to be over an hour away from him at our home, we didn't even want to be away from the hospital, he needed us and we needed to be near him.

The Sick Children's Trust managed to supply us with accommodation just two floors below the unit, aside from the incredible proximity and even a phone extension giving us a hotline to his intensive care room, this allowed us to do all the little things that you don't think about or plan for when you're in such a period of shock and mental turmoil, sleeping, eating, showering, laundry... things that fall by the wayside but are essential in part. Most of all having your own personal space within the hospital to allow you to try and come to terms with and cope with everything that is happening was something I realise with hindsight was invaluable.

Thankfully my son recovered from the operation but by no means was the experience over. He subsequently had two further operations, one of which being 7 hours long and once again The Sick Children's Trust were on hand to provide us with a place to stay within the hospital grounds during the operations and while he recovered.

I'm pleased to say that Elias is doing very well with massive thanks to The Sick Children's Trust and of course the specialists at Addenbrooks Hospital.

I'm really not sure what we would have done without their help which is why I've chosen (and am delighted to have been accepted) to run the London Marathon on their behalf in an effort to raise money and awareness for their cause.

So all that is left is for me to ask you to donate generously for such a great charity (and maybe a little bit for my efforts :o) thank you x