I want to thank everyone for their generous donations and messages of support over the last few months. You have all made such a difference and should be very proud of your contribution in making Phil and Myself's day running the London Marathon such a special day. We have managed to surpass our target and its still rising, so THANK YOU ALL. XX Grant

Please take a few moments to read the very personal reasons we are running the marathon.

Katie Elizabeth was born on 31st May 2000 weighing in at 5lbs 2oz. She had a traumatic entry into the world & while we were relieved by her apparently safe arrival it was clear, as she was rushed off to an incubator, that something was wrong. She stayed in that same incubator for several weeks, showing a huge strength of character for such a tiny person, by fighting through all the treatments and many medical interventions. Confused and frightened we were taken into a room where the medical team explained they needed to run lots of tests in order to establish what was wrong. Katie was found to be suffering from congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). There are many different forms of this metabolic disorder and Katie was diagnosed with salt losing CAH. Less than 50 years ago, children born with this condition would have died soon after birth.

To treat her condition, Katie had to be given a complex routine of daily medications including salty water 4 times a day. This was always difficult to administer and must have been awful for Katie to drink. But she never wafted away our hands and instead greeted all these treatments with a smile that lit up her whole face, making us feel better that we were helping her, but also making us feel so much worse that she had to endure such a punishing regime. In early November 2001 Katie went into hospital for corrective surgery, which all appeared to go well. Shortly after leaving hospital she contracted pneumonia and as her adrenal system was already weakened she simply couldn’t fight it. Katie died on 20th November 2001. A post mortem test showed that Katie died from "unascertainable causes" so although her death was not directly attributable to CAH it undoubtedly was a key factor in her life.

I feel the need to do something unique to remember Katie. It breaks the natural order of things to bury your own child. Carrying the tiny coffin of your own child is something I wish no one ever had to endure. I had to administer so many horrible treatments to help manage Katie’s CAH. I think it is only right & proper that I put myself through this marathon, in the hope that my temporary battle to complete such a physical challenge may lead to more palatable treatments to manage these conditions. If I can do that, Katie’s short life will have had a lasting impact on the lives of such special children like Katie and the parents who live with and love them.

My friend Phil will be there with me for the marathon to support and push me all the way. So please support us both. Do it for Katie and the many children like her.