++Update++ Monday 26th April 2010

Dear Everyone.... friends, family, colleagues

Thank you so much for helping me to raise such an amazing amount to date. The total is still going up so we are not quite there yet, but the achievement so far has been truly amazing.

I completed the marathon yesterday in 3hrs 41mins which i was really pleased about. It did come at a small price though, as i collapsed after the finish line,threw up several times and ended up on a stretcher,attached to an oxygen mask and bit spaced out for the next couple of hours!

Hand on heart though it was worth it, as i put a great time in for Alfie, and have raised lots of money for The Childrens Trust, Tadworth, which really fills me with delight, and it will make such a difference.

Thank you once again for the generosity you have shown, I cant begin to explain to you just how grateful i am.

Dan

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As many people know, our son, Alfie sadly passed away on Sunday January 17th, aged 8 months.

Alfie was our little hero. He was a strong, courageous & determined little boy who put up such a brave fight . He charmed everyone he met & was dearly loved for the whole of his short life.

When you are faced with a cruel & unfightable prognosis like Alfie's, all you can strive for is the best possible quality of life & the best possible quality of death. The nurses at Tadworth really understood Alfie's needs and provided him with the most amazing care as well as giving us the support that we desperately needed.

Soon after Alfie arrived at Tadworth the specialist team immediately assessed his needs enabling us to understand what caused him pain. They quickly developed a strategy that was totally focused on ensuring Alfie was comfortable and pain free together with the opportunity for sensory experience.

The care and compassion has been second to none & in our absence the nurses and carers would treat Alfie as one of their own.

We will really miss our regular visits to Tadworth, which became an extension of our home. At the same time Tadworth was our escapism. It had an unbelievable calm & serenity that was both comforting & humbling.

We took great pleasure in decorating Alfie's room in a pirate theme and imagine him now sailing the clouds in  heaven looking for treasure. Scarlett also loved his room, it was like toy heaven for her as she caused mayhem, squealing with delight at every visit.

Many people have asked if they can make a donation to the hospice where Alfie lived. I am running the London Marathon on Sunday 25th April for The Children's Trust, Tadworth. Jacqueline & I would be over the moon if you could support our charity and make a donation.

It would be fantastic if Alfie's legacy could help other children with similar special needs.

Thank you

Dan Cunningham