I believe it is time to explain the surreal situation that my family and I have been going through the past 5 weeks. Those of you who know us, know that we are all a very close family and we would all agree that this has been the most difficult time we have all experienced together. My eldest brother Ashley, aged 29 went to work New Years Eve (Monday) and by the 3rd January 2019 (Thursday), he had to be intubated for mechanical ventilation on ITU at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hosiptal (NNUH). This was due to contracting Swine flu (H1N1) which rapidly developed into severe pneumonia and sepsis. Ashley was put on extracorporeal life support (ECMO machine) and transferred to Leicester hospital to be monitored and cared for by specialist ECMO nurses. He was diagnosed with severe acute respiratory failure which later caused multi-organ failure. Whilst Ashley was in Leicester hospital, he had a Tracheostomy fitted and finally came off the ECMO machine after 11 days which meant he could then be transferred back to the NNUH which is where he remains currently. I cannot begin to describe the rollercoaster of emotions that we have all been on but emptiness is one of them. Ash is currently off sedation and trialling a speaking valve most days. He is also doing amazing with the physiotherapists, taking several steps and sitting out in his chair for a couple of hours each day. Our brother has the strength of an Ox and the heart of a Lion...he has come incredibly far already yet we know he still has a long journey ahead of him. We still do not know the extent of damage that has been done to Ash's lungs however, we are informed that he will be out of work for at least a year due to his condition, which leads me on as to why I am writing this. Grahame and I (and anyone who wishes to join us) will be running the Larking Gowen City of Norwich Half Marathon on the 7th April 2019. We hope to raise as much money as possible for Ash and his little family to take the financial stress and strain out of his challenging journey ahead. Any donation will be greatly appreciated, no matter how small.

Thank you for all the support that we have already received from family, friends and colleagues through this difficult time.