At the end of 2012 my niece, Lily, fell ill. We didn't know just how ill she was until a routine check for her congenital heart condition. She was diagnosed with endocarditis, which is quite serious for anyone to get, but for someone with a congenital heart condition it made things a bit more complicated. Lily was admitted to Holly Ward at the beginning of 2013 and she spent approximately 8wks there. She became one of the fixtures there, seeing lots of others come and go. Although, as with anyone, she would have preferred not to be there, not to be ill, not to be different, Lily and her family felt really taken care of in Holly Ward. The staff really helped and Lily has recently said to me that she really enjoyed the sessions she had with the playworker on the ward, because they were fun and really helped ease the boredom and worry. Even though Lily has recovered now from her bout of Endocarditis, there is still a worry of it appearing again and at times, when Lily is ill with a temperature, her Mum will call Holly Ward and they will always see her and check her, doing all they can.

It is because of the above that, when I discovered I had won a ballot place in the 2014 Virgin London Marathon, I wanted to raise money for Holly Ward as a way of Thanking them for all they did/still do for my niece and her family. I have many friends too who have had their children spend time on Holly Ward and I have spent a night or two there, with one or two of mine. So, it would be lovely to raise what I can for this place and it's staff who give so much-it would be nice just to give a bit back.

Dreamdrops is the charity which Holly Ward is covered by and I can specify that I wish for the money I raise to go specifically to Holly Ward.

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