I'm lucky enough to have known Erin Sadler's wonderful Mum Helen since a year or two before Erin was born. Erin then arrived at the end of 2013 about 6 months before my eldest daughter Elizabeth.  They should have been sharing all of the same milestones through childhood, instead Erin had a very different path, living with complex health issues that I still struggle to understand as being humanly possible to withstand. Despite this she grew up to be an amazing little bundle of wonderful. Shining through over 100 blood/blood product transfusions, bowel failure and even cardiac arrest in 2019. She was a true Warrior who lit up any room she was in.

I desperately want to type IS when writing this but heartbreakingly Erin couldn't fight forever and she passed away on 13th December 2022. She is a loss to all that have ever known her and the world is a poorer place without her zest for life and cheeky giggle.

Her Mum and Grandad are equally amazing,  whether it be administering medication, building wooden trains in the garden, winter wonderlands for Christmas, getting her to the many medical appointments or buying many tonnes of sponge for Erin to cut to help relax. I don't have enough superlatives.

So I'm running this race in Erin's memory and to raise funds in her name. I have no skills that could have helped her situation so can only do this crazy thing to show support for a charity that helps children with life threatening and terminal illness and their families - picked by her Mum as one of many good causes and businesses who gave help or fun times to Erin.

I urge you to visit her Facebook and/or Instagram pages below for a guaranteed smile and maybe take your own inspiration from her fight, sparkle and laugh.

www.facebook.com/erinthewarriorandherzestforlife

www.instagram.com/erin_the_warrior_zest_for_life/?hl=en

Or check out one of the things that Erin was able to enjoy because of her amazing Mum.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7827439/amp/Girl-6-brought-life-shows-Winter-Wonderland-mum-medical-boxes.html

So what am I doing? The race is the Grand Union Canal Race and is on 27 May 2023. Regarded by many as Britain’s premier Ultra, this is a 145 mile continuous race from Gas Street Basin in the Centre of Birmingham, to Little Venice in the heart of London (albeit it "uphill" this year and reversed) - that's the distance in one go with a cutoff of 45 hours.

I couldn't complete this race nearly 10 years ago despite what I thought was my best effort, pre any of my own (extremely minor in comparison) health challenges, the effects of being a parent myself and too much work - I dropped out 127 miles into the 145. 

When Erin's situation worsened toward the end of 2022, the challenge didn't seem too great and I wanted to do... something - so I entered the ballot and here I am (terrified). In the run up to that first attempt I was at my best and had recently completed other long distance races...I realised on getting the place that I ran 61 miles in the whole of 2022!

No matter, I have targeted 1,000 miles of training ahead of the race and I WILL finish for Erin - the warrior who I'm certain will help me when I think it is tough in the months to come.  I hope Erin's story and my effort will inspire you to donate what you can to help this wonderful charity.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed. They support the whole