*** A massive THANK YOU to everyone who has donated I am completed overwhelmed with the generosity and the money is truly going to a fantastic cause! I can happily say I completed the half marathon (with a lot of encouragement from daddy) in 2hours 20mins. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’ve lost a toe nail to the cause!! Thank you once again I will keep you all posted on development’s on the ward!! Rachel x ***

As a staff nurse on the children’s oncology and haematology ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital, I deal with new born children through to the age of 16 who endure long, painful and life altering treatment for cancer. The treatment that the children receive makes them venerable to catching virus’ and bugs which means that they are very rarely allowed off the ward or to go outside the hospital. Seeing the children go through this for months on end with little complaint and constant positivity inspires me every day.

The ward is expanding to join the bone marrow transplant unit which is very exciting, but due to a lack of budget we have not been able to provide any play facilities, inside or outside the ward. For this reason both staff and children are undertaking charity projects to raise money, so the children can have the play facilities they need. This is vital to help speed their recovery and enable them to live as normal life as possible and just be children.

This is where you come in to help raise the money that is most desperately needed...

I have set myself the challenge to run the Fleet Half Marathon, that’s 13 ½ LONG miles! Those of you who know me know that this is quite unlike me and definitely out of my comfort zone!! However, seeing what my patients go through in a daily battle for life has given me the confidence and encouragement to complete this (hopefully!!).

Thank you so much for looking at my page and donations really will make a difference.

Rachel  x