Our friend Louise is walking a marathon. She approached us to see if she could do it for Michael.

We have just fund raised to help to have a downstairs bedroom for Michael and any extra money would be used to buy equipment to make Michael's life easier.

Michael is a real fighter. He was born two months early and we were told he may not make it. He became very ill in his first year and yet again we were told he may not survive. He however, after blood transfusions, and a stay in intensive care was allowed to come home.

He has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, chronic lung disease and many other health issues. He is on oxygen 24/7, on non invasive ventilation at night and is always at risk of having his lungs collapse. He also had not developed as expected and has very little head control,(though does a mean crawl on his back get about!) can not sit and is very small even for a child with achondroplasia(he is 2 and in 9-12 month clothes.) He also has a undiagnosed genetic condition which also comes with extra health issues.

The money we have raised to date is going to be used to pay for a downstairs bedroom and bathroom for Michael. We know Michael is likely to be in a wheelchair so this was essential at some date in the future but at the moment if at night there was a fire we would not be able to get Michael out of the building safely due to the oxygen.The great news is we have raised enough to get this work done.

The money Louise raises through doing her amazing walk, will be used to pay for an air conditioning unit. Part of Michael's condition means he can't regulate his own temperature. If he overheats his respiratory rate goes up, as does this heart rate. Just to breath, even with the oxygen, is hard work for him, so this extra strain ffects his blood oxygen levels. Though a simple thing this will make a real difference to Michael. x