On the 8th October 2017 I'll be running my first Half marathon, I have decided to run this in aid of a charity that does not, I feel, get enough press and praise for the things that they do.
In July 2015, my nephew Alfie, who at the time was only 4 months old, was diagnosed with a very serious congenital heart defect and was admitted to Birmingham children's hospital where he would need to under go open heart surgery.
Before undergoing the surgery the hospital had to make sure he was strong enough to have the surgery, this involved a lengthy stay in hospital pre and post op.
Ronald McDonald Housing Charity provided Alfie's mum, dad and brother (Super Ted) a place to stay providing beds, kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, and playrooms all free of charge for the duration of this very worrying time just across the road from the hospital. This allowed my brothers family to be close to Alfie 24/7 but also offered them a chance to be able to carry on some normality for Ted whilst Alfie was in hospital. The house was beautifully decorated, clean and all provisions were well maintained. Communal areas allowed families to be able to interact, share stories and provide reassurance to each other during unimaginable times of stress. Having been to this amazing house and whitnessed first hand just what this charity is doing for families such as my brothers, the debt of gratitude for what was provided in the sense of being able to stay close by to Alfie but to also rest could never be repayed by monetary value but I want to give a thank you and a helping hand to this charity so that it is able to continue providing the amazing support they did for us.