As many of you may know, several Christmas's ago - my nephew Nicholas Hart tragically died in a home accident, aged nineteen months. In his memory, I have decided to attempt my first marathon. Given my current locality I am hoping to complete the London Marathon this April. In honour of Nicholas I have been sponsored by the Child Bereavement Charity and hope to raise much needed funds on their behalf. The Reality: Accidents such as Nicholas's and child illnesses that can be diagnosed at any age devastate so many families all over the world and this is illustrated by the following four sobering, sad and very frightening facts regarding the UK: - Each year over 3000 children and young people die between the ages of 1 and 19, as a result of illness or accident - that is 8 families affected every day - Every year one baby in a hundred dies before, at, or soon after birth - that is 17 babies each day. - A further 1700 babies die before reaching their first birthday. - Around 53 children and young people under 18 are bereaved of a mother or father every day Two Pronged Approach: The Child Bereavement Charity provides a two pronged approach. It both offers specialised support, information and training to all those affected both when a child dies, and when a child is bereaved of someone important in their lives. To find out more please visit http://www.childbereavement.org.uk/. As my family found, the services that organisations such as these provide are vital for parents, siblings and those affected to continue life through the grief. They provide a constant lifeline and source of support and understanding for life after loss. Importantly this charity also works with young children that are bereaved by their parent or parents which is something very hard for a parent to imagine but every parents fear. Ultimately, in the unthinkable you know you would want your child to receive the most assistance possible to cope with an altered family landscape and life going forward. What I Am Chasing! I totally understand that in this current environment that giving anything is not easy - but I would love you to all try and sponsor me for as much as you possibly can. (Obviously the charities needs unfortunately don't change so we need to enable them to continue their amazing work despite the recession). I have the added bonus that anything I can raise should be matched by the Macquarie Foundation, thus effectively doubling your generosity. How am I going? Having run the Royal Parks Half Marathon at the end of last year I took Xmas off and have since been in training for 4 weeks - and bar the realization that I have one dodgy foot, lately a flimsy knee and may well be too old, all is going well! Although as I run round Wandsworth Common wearing tights, gloves and a headband in minus 5 degrees, a little bit of me wonders why I am not running the Bondi to Bronte instead! Anyway - I can promise all those that sponsor me, that if they come and watch they will see some truly amazing facial expressions as I put myself through the pain of trying to hit my target time of 3.30. Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Child Bereavement Charity 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!