Hi there i am running the Great North Run 2012 to raise money for the Listening For Life Centre/The Ear Trust.

For those of you who dont know our daughter Emily she was born in December 2008 after failing her hearing test shortly after birth we had to take Emily back to the hospital a couple of weeks later for a more detailed hearing test that diagnosed our worst fear that she was born profoundly deaf in both ears which was the hardest news i think ive ever had to take especially 3 days before christmas.Emily was fitted with hearing aids shortly after but unfortunately they didnt work for her.

In Feb 2009 we had an appointment with Mr Condon at Clayton Hospital and had some good news that he was happy to refer Emily for cochlear implants,not long after we went over to the Listening For Life Centre at Bradford Royal Infirmary and after a chat with the people there we were told the fantastic news that they could give Emily two cochlear implants,this was the first year they had started to offer patients two as before they was only offered one.

In November 2009 Emily had her operation at Bradford GI and both implants were fitted,it wasnt very nice having to give her a kiss and big cuddle at the theatre entrance as Nicola took her in to be put to sleep but we knew the rewards would be out of this world.After 3-4 hours Emily came out of theatre bandaged up and looking like she had done 12 round with Mike Tyson but we had to keep positive and think of the future she would have from this,after a shocking nights sleep and sharing a tiny camp bed with Nic it was my birthday and the best birthday present ive ever had knowing the worst was over and it would all be good from now.

A few days before Christmas after Emily was healed we were back over to bradford for Emily to be fitted with her processors this would be the 1st time Emily would be able to hear anything although it would be very quiet santa couldnt have brought any better present our daughter could hear!! Amazing!!

We had quite frequent visits to Bradford to begin with as they turned her processors up every time we went meaning Emily would be able to hear more and more,now she is there once to twice a year for her appointments and can hear pretty much everything.

Emily started nursery in January and has come on so much in the last few months her talking is now clear and she loves singing her nursery rhymes and is like any other normal child,hearing her say mummy & daddy is something we never thought would happen,with all the work Nic has put in with her whilst careing for her at home and the work her teachers have put in with her at school she is doing so well,although it hasnt taken her long to learn how to take them off so she cant hear us if shes up to no good haha thats the cheeky monkey she is.

The Ear Trust is a truely amazing charity we as a family owe them absolutely everything at the Listening For Life Centre in Bradford so doing our bit by me doing the Great North Run is a way of saying a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has dealt with Emily and changed her life so so much!!! 13.1 mile is a small price to pay to give them something back.

Any sponsors will be hugely appreciated and will go to a great cause and help to change other peoples life of all ages.

THANKS ONCE AGAIN!!!