Shocked? Not as shocked as I am - I tend to only ever run for trains or last orders at the bar. But everyone that knows me probably knows why I’m doing this.

Seven months ago, my six year old son, Jamie, randomly contracted a life-threatening illness, known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (www.sjsawareness.org.uk), and at the end of last year, I made a promise that if Jamie survived that terrible, terrifying illness, then I would run the London Marathon. Well done my brave boy! So now it’s my turn to be brave, in the face of a few slight disadvantages...

1) I am not built like Mo Farah

2)  I am not fit

3) I don’t run

4) I don’t even like running

5) Due to the circumstances, I am four months behind the average training schedule

 APART FROM THAT, WE’RE RIGHT ON TRACK

But I’m hoping that by doing it I can raise some money for Evelina London Children's Hospital, and here’s why:

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare condition that happens when a trigger, such as a virus, infection or medication causes an ‘overreaction’ of the immune system, leading to severe dermatological problems. It also affects the surfaces of the eyes, mouth and throat. Whilst treatable, severe fatal complications can arise and Jamie continues to have to face unexplained illnesses and skin irritations.   

After taking Jamie to the doctors several times due to a mild rash and him seeming under the weather, we took him to the hospital, where he was immediately secluded to an isolation unit. He deteriorated rapidly and it was obvious there was something seriously wrong, but the question was... what? Jamie’s skin started to blister from head to toe and he consequently had to be revived by the crash team, at which point the Evelina’s children hospital blue-lighted an ambulance to collect him. That was the moment I felt like somebody had stuck their hand down my throat and ripped my heart out.

From the start, Evelina London Children's Hospital has been incredible in every possible way. The equipment, treatments and wards are state of the art because the hospital is designed to be as uplifting and child friendly as possible. All the staff – nurses, doctors, consultants, play assistants - are all remarkable, and so passionate about their jobs. We can never thank them enough. While the hospital does receive some income from the NHS, they rely heavily on donations to make this all possible. During our many days and nights in hospital we gained a small insight into the vast costs of providing such wonderful care. Your donations will not only help fund state of the art equipment and treatments, but will also help provide activities and staff to support children and families through the most scary and difficult times of their lives.

We will forever be indebted to The  Evelina and its beautiful staff for taking care of all of us through this difficult time, and helping us bring our Jamie home. I will never forget the way those amazing nurses looked after Jamie and kept us sane through those long nights, over very long months.

I appreciate people may already have charity commitments so I don’t want to put pressure on anyone to donate, but even if I can raise awareness of this syndrome and take this opportunity to praise the Evelina hospital and staff, I’ll feel I have helped. I also of course want to take this opportunity  to thank our amazing friends, family, child-minder and work colleagues that supported us throughout, in so many ways. We couldn’t have got through it without you!  A special thanks to Sus, Gem and Ruth, who looked after Jack whilst Jamie was in hospital. I am sure he created memories and nightmares ! 

Your support means more than you’ll ever know.  Thank you. X