Each year 35,000 expectant mothers are informed that there is a risk that their unborn baby may have an abnormality.

In 1999 I was one of those unfortunate ones and on the 10th October 1999 we lost our baby .

Genetic tests showed she had Turners Syndrome Mosaic and 13 weeks into the pregnancy we were told her heart would fail before I reached 20 weeks. We had a tough decision to make - should we let the baby growing inside me continue to suffer, she was already in distress and her organs would continue to fill with water until her heart could not cope with the pressure any longer and would ultimately collapse or should we terminate the pregnancy and end her suffering.

Neither was a choice we wanted to make.We should have been planning telling friends and family that Charlie was to have a sibling. The doctors and other medical staff were wonderful but they didn't know how we felt, they had not been on the receiving end of such devastating news, they could only give us the medical answers.

That's why I have chosen to run my London Marathon for ARC - Antenatal Results and Choices. ARC is the only national charity providing non-directive information and support to parents making decisions before, during and after tests in pregnancy.    

ARC gives support to parents no matter what decision is made about the future of the pregnancy through a number of ways including a national suppport network of trained volunteers, a website, a helpline, regional parents meetings and newsletters. 

By sponsoring me in the 2009 London Marathon you will help thousands of expectant and bereaved parents in what may be the most difficult and heartbreaking time of their lives.

£10 pays for an information & support pack for a bereaved or expectant parent.

£20 will help maintain their website - an essential aid 24/7 for parents facing devastating and life-changing decisions

£50 will give training to a volunteer to provide local support for anxious parents.

£100 will pay for the upkeep of their helpline for one day - often the first port of call for a distressed parent. 

Every day parents go to ARC for help and support during antenatal testing. I wish I had known about them when I needed them most. I don't just want to raise as much money as I can for this wonderful charity - I want to help raise their profile as well. Every pregnant  woman has a number of tests carried out during her pregnancy. Every expectant parent should be aware that this charity exists.

Thank for you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. Give me a wave or a toot  in support when you see me out training - especially when its cold and raining.

********UPDATE*******************5th March 2009 ***************************************

So far training has been going very well, I am up to 20 miles for my long run and starting to believe I can actually do this and perhaps even enjoy it too ( especially after running 22.5 miles by mistake - mileage miscalculation, someone make sure I stop at 26.2  on the day please !). I have also found I can eat whatever I like now as the training is burning it all off. If anyone has any good pasta recipes I would love it  if you could pass them on to me as my family ( just Dean really) are starting to get a little fed up with basic ones I cook !

I have recently received sponsorship from 2 local businesses for which I am very thank ful. Flint Insurance based in Sidcup (and Harrow), brokers dealing in all types of insurance 0845 3711452 and TKA Recruitment based in New Ash Green operating within the Technical,Engineering, Media and Commercial sectors 01474 709911. My campaign is also going to be featured in the Town and Country post April edition.

************************UPDATE 24TH MARCH 2009 ********************************

I AM RUNNER NO. 34115 AND WILL BE RUNNING IN A WHITE T-SHIRT WITH A LARGE PURPLE ARC EMBLEM !

*************************UPDATE 22ND APRIL 2009 ********************************

I HAVE COLLECTED MY RACE NUMBER TODAY - IF YOU WANT TO TRACK ME

ON THE DAY ONLINE OR VIA A MOBILE WITH WAP THEN GO TO

WWW.ADIDAS.COM/RUNNING FOR DETAILS AND DON'T FORGET MY RACE

NUMBER ! I AM SO EXCITED I CANNOT SLEEP

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Arc Antenatal Results And Choices gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!