In 2017, our daughter Hannah was diagnosed with scoliosis after suffering from back pain.

Over the next couple of years, Hannah was referred to the neurosurgery department at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. As the curve increased it affected her lung function and posture.

The decision was made for Hannah to undergo spinal surgery in June 2019. Surgery was complicated and after the operation Hannah required an extended stay in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This was due to the operation having to be stopped about ¾ of the way through due to Hannah experiencing cardiac and ventilation issues and the duration of the surgery.

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This is where The Sick Children’s Trust came in. We were fortunate enough to be provided with accommodation in Acorn House at Addenbrookes Hospital. It provided somewhere to sleep, shower, cook and eat meals and to speak to other parents who were in similar situations. The staff were amazing! It was a Home from Home.

What would have been a 3 hour round trip from home to the hospital became a 3-minute walk from Acorn House to Hannah’s bed in PICU.

During our time with The Sick Children’s Trust at Acorn House, we met other parents who had children diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses and who could spend time together as a family and mark special occasions.

Therefore, I am running the London marathon in October 2022 to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust which provides invaluable accommodation and support for parents at the most challenging of times.