Isla acquired a severe life threatening brain injury at aged 6 months.

Unlike many families that find themselves in this situation, her wonderful mummy, Laura has been nursing for a staggering 18 years working in all areas of woman and child health and studied palliative care (caring for those who are at end stage of life - maximizing their life to the best it could be before they passed away.) With this background Laura fought every step of the way for her beautiful Isla, with the love in her heart and knowledge in her head.

Following a long, stressful & heart breaking fight in which doctors wanted to turn of baby Isla's life support, and against their advice she was allowed home with adequate palliative care, to make memories with her family and to live the days she had here on earth in the comfort of her own home.

I was very lucky, like many, to have Laura as my Health Visitor when my first daughter was born. She was an amazing strength to have in your corner, always at the end of the phone for those first time mummy questions and had time for a coffee at any house calls she had to make.

Laura & I remained close when she left nursing to care for Isla, and receiving the news on Christmas Eve, as I prepared for Santa and had fun with my daughter, that Isla had passed away was truly devastating. As I write this now I have tears as running down my face, and i can only imagine the pain Laura & Isla's daddy Davey, go through each day.

In memory of their daughter Laura & Davey set up Isla's Rainbow of Hope to raise funds to provide nursing care, within family homes, legal awareness of parents rights and help families make everlasting memories - facilitating days out. The charity will also support other parents through the very difficult journey they face when their journey ends and their child leaves to be with the angels.

I am so thankful for the love and support I have received from Laura in the past that I want to do what can to help Isla's charity.

In January I began a Couch to 5k program with East Coast Athletics Club , not being able to run for 2 minutes straight. I decided to set myself a target of a half marathon (13miles) in October. To make it more of a challenge I will run the half marathon in the Spanish heat in Majorca. Being used to the cold temperatures and rain while training in Northern Ireland I know the heat is going to be a real challenge - on top of the actual distance. But I remind myself each day why I am doing it.

If you are still reading this I would very much appreciate if you would support me in my run, and in doing so help children with life limited conditions to lead a more comfortable life at home with their families.

For every £5 you donate you will receive 1 'entry' for your chance to win an Amazon Echo, kindly donated by my employer - NIBC Ltd