Dear all,

From the 21st to 26th September this year, I am going to walk from Urdos (Pyrenees) to Sanguesa (Northern Spain), approximately 120km along the Camino de Santiago or Pilgrim's Way, to raise money for the Olivia Hodson Fellowship Fund. Close friends of mine, Alan and Christiane Hodson have organised the walk. Approximately 30  friends, and friends of friends, have signed up to join them, with everyone agreeing to raise at least £1,500 for the fund. All of the money raised will go directly to OHFF projects, and I would appreciate greatly your support and sponsorship. Idealy I would like my target to be £3,000.

The Olivia Hodson Fellowship Fund was established in memory of the Hodson's daughter, Olivia, who was two and a half years old when she died in April 1996. She had appeared healthy until her second birthday but was then diagnosed with a malignant germ cell tumour. Over the last 10 years, thanks to the generous support of friends and family, they have been able to fund many projects and staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the neighbouring Institute of Child Health. The fund's work has focused on the following areas: novel and innovative research projects (usually to establish a basis for large scale applications for funding), clinical research projects, support for cooperation between scientific research and clinical implementation, and projects supporting innovations in nursing, palliative care and pain relief. The Fund has often funded areas that have been unable to access larger grant-giving organisations.

In addition to its ongoing projects, the Fund has now agreed to support a new position, providing counselling and support for parents and staff on the Oncology Wards at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Having a sick child is an enormously difficult experience for any parent. Great Ormond Street treats many of the most-sick children, with cases referred from all over the UK and overseas. The parents of these children often live for weeks or months away from their family and friends, coping with the new and difficult daily challenges of their child's illness. I believe this new role can make a material difference to the health and prospects of the sick children, their families and the staff who treat them. The funds raised from this walk, will help support this position.

Many thanks for any support you can give by sponsoring me on this walk. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. The Olivia Hodson Fellowship Fund, which is a special purpose fund within the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thank you and very best wishes

Kate Robert-Tissot