This September, I’m taking on the London to Brighton Bike Ride – 55 miles on two wheels – to raise money for Home-Start Essex, the charity that supported me when I needed it most.

I don’t even own a bike – I’ve been kindly donated a second-hand one – and before now, I’ve barely ridden! But I’m determined to give back to the organisation that made such a difference to me and my family.

My Story

Four days before I gave birth to my third child, I was told that it was very likely that he would be born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. It was a complete shock for my husband and I to find out that our baby would be born with a disability so late in the pregnancy, and for a long time I really struggled with the diagnosis. I found it incredibly hard to come to terms with it and what it meant for our family with our future ahead. Knowing we would have to attend a lot of hospital appointments and that my son would have to endure a lot of surgical procedures at points in his life really frightened me - and there were a lot of days I wondered if I would be strong enough to support him through all of it. The unknown was a really scary place and I felt really lonely after just having moved to a new area.

A local charity referred me to Home-Start Essex and a short time later I had a call from Alison. Alison was lovely, we chatted on the phone for a while about our family’s situation and who home-start was. We then agreed a date and time that she could visit us at home. At first, I wasn’t sure about moving forward as I didn’t feel like we that we were worthy of help — especially as there are so many people worse off than us, but it had taken a toll on my mental health and I knew I was in need of support, so I told myself to keep an open mind and I’m so glad that I let them in to our lives. Home-Start Essex have been amazing, as a family we have benefited so much from their support, it has been incredible. From little things like getting myself and my children into the same dentist, knowledge about local groups and activities, and food donations. My children have received beautiful gifts from businesses who donate to the charity and members of the public who bought presents and donated at Christmas time. We’ve had really lovely days out together at the circus, a glow night and even met Santa at a zoo during the festive period. They have also helped point us in the right direction to get letters and forms filled out correctly and worked with other charities to send us away on a lovely holiday and purchase a new car seat for our son.

We have also had the pleasure of a volunteer once a week for a couple of hours to help me with the children - we would take them out to the local soft play area, go on the local free bus and have a ride around town, or go to the park. The kids loved it and I enjoyed the company. I was also struggling with a boisterous two year old and I received one-to-one training on how to manage situations better.

Because of Home-Start Essex I’m in a much better place than I was a year ago. I have found a strength I didn’t know I had, and I feel confident in my parenting ability and in myself again. We have made some lovely new memories that we wouldn’t have had the chance to by ourselves, which we will always be grateful for. For us, they have made a hard year a very happy one and that was exactly what we needed. I feel very humbled to have had the opportunity to work with them. I have signed up to London to Brighton Cycle Ride in September to raise money for Home- Start Essex as I want to be able to give a little back in appreciation for all they have done for us. They really are a worthy charity.

This ride won’t be easy, but I’m doing it with love and gratitude. Every pound raised helps other families like mine get the support they need to thrive.

Please sponsor me if you can – it means the world💜