On 15th April 2017 I will run the Brighton Marathon and I am doing it to raise money for beautiful William and his family.

Here is their story:

William was born in 2016 and was diagnosed in June 2017 at 7 months old with a neuro-genetic condition called Angelman syndrome. This is a chromosome deletion (impairment for some) which leaves him facing a life of therapy to learn to walk, even just sit properly and communicate. He has, amongst other things, ataxia (movement disorder), dysphagia (difficulty co-ordinating swallowing), a slow brain wave pattern (encetholopathy), severe complex life threatening epilepsy that puts him in hospital every couple of weeks and even intensive care on life support, laryngomalacia and low muscle tone everywhere leaving him with breathing and oxygen issues and general issues doing things we take for granted.

My story:

I said numerous times that I would never run a marathon because running a half marathon in 2014 was so hard. I had vowed not to challenge any distance again. But then I went on mat leave and needed to exercise. Then I met William and the Goodson’s. The challenges they face on a daily basis are harder than I could ever imagine. So running a marathon seems easy compared to William’s struggles. So I am running for them. As mentioned, William faces lifelong therapy and will need specialist equipment to assist him as well as possible home adaptations. This will come at a great cost. More immediately, with frequent hospital admissions, William’s parents have to take a lot of time off of work which put a strain on their finances. I want to be able to raise money for them to provide for William and get him the additional care and equipment he deserves and needs to support him.
Please donate if you can. A little or a lot is appreciated. Not only will it help a family in need but it will spur me on to train and complete this marathon challenge.