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I have always enjoyed a challenge, but doing it for a good cause and supporting children and their families in difficult times makes it even more meaningful, interesting and worthwhile.

 

As a junior doctor I am faced with illness and suffering everyday. Aspiring to become a paediatrician, I hope to be able to treat children in future, supporting them medically as well as emotionally. With a background of psychology I am aware of the emotional and mental impact on physical health and the importance of family (and friend’s) support. Seeing your own child suffer and knowing they will never grow old to be an adult, must be one of the most horrific experiences in life. I can only imagine the pain, frustration, loneliness and possibly anger felt, but at the same time love and closeness while trying to stay strong and supportive. I believe, in order for the child to enjoy his or her life as much as possible, the child and family need support, someone to talk to for advice and assistance, someone who will help them to stay strong. I would like to run for Children’s Hospices UK in order to raise money that will help to provide support to children and their families. 

 

This will be my first “full” marathon. As a preparation, I will be running the Reading Half Marathon in March 2011 for St Michael’s Hospice in Basingstoke. I am generally very sporty and have climbed several high mountains, including Kilimanjaro and Huayna Potosi in Bolivia. This will be a new challenge for me, one I look forward to with excitement, especially if my donation might make a difference to a child’s (and their family’s) quality of life. 

 

Children’s Hospices UK is the charity that gives voice and support to all children’s hospice services. There is an estimated 20,000 children in the UK who are not expected to reach adulthood. Children's Hospices UK's vision is for all these children - and their families - to have awareness of, and access to, the highest standards of hospice care and support in the location of their choosing.