When Jack was born prematurely, it was after months of worrying whether he was going to be ok. We knew he had a serious heart defect (CAVSD, repaired by open heart surgery at 6 months old) and talipes (clubfoot) and knew he "probably" had Down syndrome. When the doctors almost whispered this confirmation, our response was "So, is he going to be alright?". He has had a tough 6 years. He had a later diagnosis of cerebral palsy, which developed into hydrocephalus and he remains tube fed to this day.

Now, reading that, you would think "what kind of life has this poor kid had/will be able to have?"

Let me tell you about my son... he has the most adorable smile, has people completely wrapped around his finger, is extremely stubborn when he doesn't want to do something, loves dinosaurs, fights with his little sister and brother, likes to watch CBeebies, hates that it takes me more than 2 seconds to get him out of his car seat when the car is stopped, doesn't really fancy brushing his teeth unless you sing to him and... LOVES school!

Jack started Hadrian School in January 2007. Since then, his development has sky rocketed. The level of care and support from Day 1 astounded me and continues to do so to this day. The teachers and staff are like family, they love the children, many of whom would not be given very many opportunities at all without a school like Hadrian. This isn't just a job for these people. Unfortunately, they cannot do everything and any funds raised go directly to the children, whether it is for day trips, treats in school, equipment, or the recent Secret Garden...

"2009-2010 is our 10th Anniversary Year and, as part of the celebrations, we have taken on the ambitious project of raising £200,000 to provide new, specialised outdoor play equipment in three different areas of school - outside the Early Years Foundation Classes, the Internal Quad and the Adventure Playground. At present these areas provide no shelter, they lack excitement and stimulation and they are not disability friendly in terms of access, equipment and resources.

Our aim is to provide all year round access to outdoor play. We want to turn all three areas into safe, stimulating, exciting, challenging and inclusive learning environments and increase the range of challenging opportunities available to all our children."

Any amount would make a difference to these kids who work so, so hard to do what comes easily and naturally to many other children. They take pride in what they do and revel in the joy they give to others. You only have to be lucky enough to get a seat at the School's Christmas Play to see how much the children want to impress - and they do! - and the looks on the parents and visitors faces (and maybe that tear in their eye)  to know how much of a difference that Hadrian makes.

I started running in January 2008 and since I started counting, have logged over 2400 miles and completed 12 10km races, 6 half marathons, 2 marathons and various other distances along the way. I love to run, I run because I can... some of these children can't.

I will be running the Edinburgh Marathon for Hadrian School (and no doubt many other races along the way). Please try to make a difference. I know times are hard, but any value counts.

Thanks for listening :)

Update 22/02/10

Ok, slight change of plan... I've done a marathon before, so now feel like I need to do something bigger and have changed my target. I am now running the Blackpool Marathon on 11th April as my racing attempt, ie as fast as I can. I am still doing the Edinburgh Marathon on the 23rd May, but this is now going to be ran as a "training run" after the Chester half marathon on the 16th May. I'm then off for a glorious week off on a beach on holiday before ramping the miles up further. When I say 26.2 miles is "just" a training run - my fundraising target is now for an ultra marathon - the Kent 50 Mile Challenge on the 18th July. A marathon might seem a bit easier after that ;-). I think I can do it in under 10 hours.

Thank you so much for your support.

Even though I have technically met my target, it was set rather conservatively as I never thought I'd be able to reach that, but every penny still counts.


UPDATE 12/04/10

One down! Ran Blackpool Marathon yesterday and it was hard. I'd been ill with cold all week and missed a couple of weeks training last month with a knee injury, but thankfully still made it. "GFA" (good for age, for guaranteed entry into London marathon) time is 3.50, my pb was 3.50.34 and I ran 3.44.55 so very happy all things considered.

UPDATE 24/05/10

Thought I couldn't be unlucky 2 years in a row - I was. Edinburgh Marathon was on a scorching hot day, in the region of 25 degrees, same as last year. Very tough conditions and passed many poorly people lying by the side of the road. Ran every step even though my body was telling me STOP at every footfall in the last 5 miles. Crossed the line in 3.46.01 - it should have been a lot slower as it was supposed to be training pace! Good run at Chester last weekend, finally got under the 1.40 milestone I've been chasing for a while - 1.39.27 :)