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Annie's story.  Why I am running London Marathon 2016. 

As you know,  I love running. But, over the years, I have decided, it just wasn't enough to run for myself anymore - I wanted to use it for something more.    

This year isn't so much about my story or journey.  This year, I would like you see it through my husband's eyes.  

But, may I just say this.  I never thought the day would come, when we would be running along side by side  on a twenty miler training run.   We have shared a great journey together. The pain, tiredness, moaning, stiffness and laughter (believe it or not) the highs and the lows, but not forgetting the small triumpths along the way too!  I am very proud of Stephen - he has worked very hard indeed to raise to the challenge and  take this opportunity to raise funds for GOSH. 

Every single person out there running the marathon is a hero in my eyes.

Why? People ask me all the time! Silly question, I think?  Because Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital is the most amazing place.  It deserves nothing less than all my efforts to help those in need.  Please remember - everyone person treated at GOSH is only a child.  

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Stephen's story.

Hi,

I am not a natural althlete, although blessed with a reasonable physic , mentally I am very easily distracted, mainly to fun things and fun places!! The discipline that defines Annie's life sadly, has escaped me until now!!!!!!! Inspired by Annie.  I am giving the London marathon ONE go, so I will NOT pester you again!  

Next Sunday will be a very special day for me and my family and in particular for our son Jack. It is five years ago since our tranquil and happy lives were torn apart when our eldest son Jack went from a happy ten year old getting ready to join our great friend Eddie Livadas for Sunday lunch to within hours a catastrophic collapse the like of which the Doctors at Chelsea and Westminster hospital had never seen before.

Jacks condition deteriorated from home at 1.30pm at such alarming speed that within an hour of arrival we were unbelievably told that he was unlikely to survive the next hour. The heroic efforts of all in A&E and in particular the specialists in Paediatric intensive care, Dr S. Patel for instance who didn’t leave his bedside for 12 hrs solid saved his life, what an amazing team, we will forever be in their debt. Despite them not understanding what was wrong with Jack they somehow got him through the next 24hrs which enabled after five further days of intensive care Jack to be stabilised enough for a dash to Great Ormond Street Children's hospital.

After three weeks of study by the oncology team lead by the caring Penny Brock and all the people that were involved in GOSH and around the country, specialists in Kent, other London hospitals, Oxford and even input from LA, Jack was diagnosed with a Tumour of the pancreas. His particular tumour was so rare that it has only occurred in children four times in the last 30 years. Funnily this was an advantage as everyone was fascinated and wanted to be involved.

The only course of action was an operation which was carried out over nine hours by the calming genius Edward Kiely ( why not Sir Ed?? Look up his incredible achievement's over a long career dedicated to children's health) he explained that we had no choice if Jack was not operated on immediately he would die. Jacks operation took place on the morning of Christmas Eve 2010 we went to the operating theatre, kissed him and stood stunned as the doors closed, what would the outcome be for our little boy? Annie and I walked the streets of the capital for the full nine hours that the operation took, to try and cope with our nerves already frazzled by 12 hour shifts that we had been doing in the hospital for a month determined not to leave him without one or other of us for a second. The outcome was nothing short of a miracle! Edward Kiely came in specially the next day, Christmas Day to tells us Jack had the most positive outcome imaginable from his operation. A grapefruit size tumour was successfully and completely removed. The pathology was excellent.

Recovery was almost instantaneous as it often is in children and Christmas day saw an immediate transformation in him. He woke an new boy. He had been vomiting with chronic non-stop diarrhoea for three weeks drips in both arms and legs day and long nights, he was now able to eat having been nil by mouth for the entire time.. He was well enough to have visits from family, friends and well-wishers which made this a very special Christmas day indeed. Thank you to all who came to visit him. His weight which had plummeted so low that it was terrifying, improved rapidly as we fed him as much Christmas cake and chocolates as he would eat.

In February 2011 Jack was well enough to accompany his friends from Hill House International school on a Skiing trip to Switzerland!!! Unbelievable indeed.Thank you so much to everyone who supported us.

A couple of years ago I ran the Royal Parks half Marathon completing it in 2 hours 15 minutes which in my category of debauched and over 50 was not a bad time, however I did this after chickening out on my promise to my wife to run the London Marathon to raise funds for GOSH Great Ormond Street Children's hospital charity. Now in my 53rd year I am honouring that pledge to Annie, Jack and GOSH. I am asking just few friends to donate this week on my giving page . Please click and pledge whatever you can for this amazing hospital to help save children facing the very toughest challenges. 

I am only trying to raise £10,000.00 which will go towards my wife Annie's incredible total in excess of £50,000.00 since she became an official Ambassador for GOSH I cannot thank her enough for everything. If you are able to support these wonderful people and the many children who sadly will spend this Christmas in GOSH we would be very grateful.

Thank you so much for reading our page. 

Please make a donation -  it really does mean so much! 

Love & good health

Annie & Stephen 

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