Hi Folks,

A good friend of mine, Elise, became the proud mother of two beautiful twin girls Elvia and Bella earlier this year. Unfortunatley the recently received the sad news that the little ones suffer from severe Plagiocephaly. This is a disfigurement that is causes a flattening of their heads, their ears to misalign and foreheads to bulge. The condition has been caused by their premature birth at 34 weeks, their with low birth weight and the fact it was a multiple birth - the twins compacted on each other within the womb creating pressure points.

Should a severe cases of Plagiocephaly like these remain untreated the girls could have problems with the alignment of their jaws and teeth, and will have problems getting glasses as their ears are out of alignment. Their misshapen heads would also make getting any sort of helmet to fit would be nigh on impossible. And of course the chances are they'd be bullied terribly at school - kids being the nasty little oiks that they are. 

Correctional Treatment is possible with the fitting of a helmet especially designed to correct the shape of their heads. Helmet treatment makes a dramatic difference and the beneficial effects are outstanding. Treatment involves wearing the helmet for several months - a minute fraction of a baby's life and gives them the best possible start in life. Helmet treatment is non-invasive and causes the baby no discomfort or distress.

Europe and the US see Plagiocephaly as a serious matter and provide health care as expected, yet despite mounting concern here in the UK the NHS are yet to take action and this treatment is only available privately.

Now for the reason you're here. Elise and her Fiancee Gabriele can't raise the £4000 needed to get the specialist helmets made, so we're all doing everything we can to help them out.

For my part, I've decided to undertake a personal challenge. On Sunday 13th September, I'll be running the Robin Hood half marathon. Hopefully I'll be able to raise a good chunk of cash for Bella and Elvia and get myself in shape at the same time - I'm build for lovin, not runnin :)

You can help by sponsoring me to jiggle around 13.2 miles of Nottingham. Please give generously folks, it's for a very good cause.

If anyone feels like joining me, just shout up, even if it's only to come out training - there's 10 weeks to race day and I've got a lot of miles to cover between now and then.

In case you're wondering, the charity on the JustGiving page is run by a good friend of Elise's who has kindly offered to help by allowing us to donate through his charity and so claim Gift Aid on all donations. Of course any donations over and above what the girls need will go to the charity - they're doing some excellent work with orphans in Nepal.

Thanks for your help and generosity,

Andy