Daniel's eagerness for life started with his very early arrival into this world. At just 27 weeks he arrived along with his identical twin brother James weighing just 2lb 8oz. We spent those early days in a fog of medical terminology and tough decisions as well as stays in a number of South West Neo-natal Intensive Care Units. As they neared their actual arrival date, we were faced with the devastating loss of James and the start of a bitter-sweet family life with Daniel and his Cerebral Palsy diagnosis – not sure of what the future would hold.

What we never imagined was the sheer determination and bravery that Daniel has brought to every single day of his 14 years. He has had a life filled with hospital appointments and surgery as well as physio equipment (lycra suits, splints, electrical stimulation) – never once complaining (well, maybe just a little!) and embracing everything knowing and trusting that it was for the best for him.

Daniel was lucky to be selected for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. This state of the art neuro surgery involves looking at each nerve in the back and cutting the nerve rootlets in the spinal canal that are sending abnormal signals to the muscles – which make mobility so tricky. We spent three weeks following the surgery supported by an amazing physio team and a gruelling regime of intervention to support Dan's recovery. The result has been a significant improvement in Dan's mobility and flexibility and will hopefully negate the need for a permanent move to a wheelchair later in life.

More recently, Daniel has started working with a personal trainer at our local gym to start to normalise his necessary physio needs. There is a lack of specialist neuro-experienced personal trainers, but we were very lucky to find Tom Murch who offers fabulous support through his company Link Torbay. The progress and improvement in Dan’s strength, balance, stamina and confidence has been astonishing and all whilst doing something he loves to do.

Over the years, Daniel and our family have been truly blessed to be supported by so many individuals - many that have made a substantial impact and difference to his progress. Daniel has never been one to dwell on the hand that he has been dealt and wanted to give himself a challenge to prove how far he has progressed and at the same time raise some money to give back to things close to his heart that have made a big difference to his life. So, this summer Daniel will be taking on some significant challenges including - walking 8 miles as part of the Jubilee Challenge which is part of the 10 Tors Challenge – this is the furthest he will have gone on his walker! Taking part in our local junior park run and finishing off by participating in the CarFest Festival Dash on August Bank Holiday. None of these events will be easy for Daniel, but we know he will smash it, and in the process raise a bit of cash for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, and for Link Torbay, who we will forever be grateful to.

We will be sharing his progress via these pages – so keep watching, keep supporting, share far and wide, and if you can support these two fantastic charities then we would be hugely grateful.