Trying to find the words to explain our situation and our need for your help has been hard, I’m no wordsmith. But our challenges in recent years have taught us that honesty gets you a long way, as does giving it a go no matter how difficult it may seem at first.

Deep breath…

If my living with terminal brain cancer since 2014 wasn’t hard enough for our small family, to have the shattering news that our precious son has life limiting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has torn our world apart.

In January 2020, Aged 5, our beautiful and happy Reuben that we all know and love was diagnosed with the life shortening, muscle wasting condition that means he’ll be unable to walk by the time he’s a teenager, and if he’s really lucky, he might live past 30.

Reuben cannot jump or move any faster than a light jog. He struggles to walk for any longer than 20 minutes before his tired and wobbly legs take over.

Reuben will also be affected intellectually. Starting at a disadvantage, school is always going to be a big challenge.

The bad news doesn’t stop there though because there’s no known cure. Like with my cancerous brain tumour, It's just too rare to get the funding it deserves.

Physical therapy, walking frames and corrective surgery may help with some symptoms.

Assisted ventilation will be required with weakening of his breathing muscles.

Medication consists of steroids to slow muscle degeneration but can severely affect behaviour and weight gain and greatly weakens bone density.

Although I am dying and don’t know how long I have with my family, life doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. We’ve had a great few years, since my diagnosis in 2014. Marriage, a lovely honeymoon, Reuben’s birth, some great family holidays, and finding out what a great, supportive world this can be, especially our friends and family.

Where do you come in? We have learnt that making the most of the time we have is so important and knowing that I can set up something for Reuben where he will be able to live life to the fullest is our mission. In short…we need your money.

I have no doubt Reuben is still going to have a wonderful, joyful, smiley life despite the challenges he will face. His cheerful spirit will ensure there are many more highs than lows.

Unfortunately though supporting his needs will come at a cost.

A suitable made to measure 3 wheeled trike costs £2000.

When that’s no longer usable, a bike with a detachable front mounted wheelchair is another £4000.

When he can no longer walk, equipment and home alterations to help ease his inevitable constant pain and discomfort could be endless.

Please spare what you can, even the smallest donation will help secure the best future we can for our son.

Perhaps if now is not a good time to support Reuben yourself, your work or other people you know might be able to? Please share far and wide.

Thank you for reading.

Stay tuned to this page, as the fundraising is only just beginning