I want to take on Ridelondon 2022 to support this amazing charity who helped my sister and her vulnerable family when they needed it the most.....

I'll let my sister explain why....... My daughter Maisy was born nine weeks early in 2004 after I suffered severe pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. She was delivered by emergency cesarean weighing just 2lbs 12ozs.

Unfortunately Maisy spent the first weeks of her life in SCU after it transpired she had suffered two significant brain haemorrhages.
As time went on, Maisy developed several debilitating conditions.
She started having severe epileptic fits and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, while a lack of brain development was identified as microcephaly - where the head and brain is smaller than normal.
She is also blind and has scoliosis, as well as a low immune system - meaning the simplest coughs and colds can leave her very ill.
In 2019 she was admitted to a hospital in London after contracting a superbug, leaving her very ill and on life support for over two weeks.
But amazingly, she made a recovery and very simply is an incredible young lady, full of resilience and strength.
She has a younger sister, Poppy who is the most wonderful and caring of siblings, looking after Maisy and even delivering care to her daily.

We first became apart of Spread a Smile when we were introduced to them by a friend throughout lockdown in 2020 . Little did we know on how amazing they actually were at this time . Turning their interactions with families into a virtual world, to enable sick children and their families to still feel like they mattered when so many felt forgotten about. They have continued to provide these virtual sessions even though others have withdrawn which is so important as for so many children and young people like Maisy and their families are still having to live a very shielded life away from the risks of covid . They support siblings so well too so this again is a wonderful resource for Maisys younger sister . From one to one singing sessions, to magic and makaton classes, a weekly art club and holiday sessions which are always so much fun . They send out packs in the post with all of the resources needed for these activities too which is amazing!
Little did I realise that these wonderful people are the ones who made a very special visit to Maisy back in January 2019 at St Mary's PICU, when she was taken desperately ill with Influenza A and ended up on full life support there for three weeks . I will always remember their visit because of the positive reaction Maisy showed with her breathing when she heard the music they were playing . I cannot imagine our lives without the amazing team at Spread A Smile now . They bring much needed joy to a rough day, comfort when Maisy is feeling poorly , enjoyment when she is well and lots of opportunities for us to make those all important special memories together xx

Our mission at Spread a Smile is to distract seriously ill children and teenagers from the monotony of long hospital stays by spreading joy and laughter.Every year, our teams of entertainers make thousands of virtual and bedside visits, distracting children from pain and treatment, breaking the monotony of the hospital environment and creating positive memories for them, their parents and siblings. Our support also includes family events and outings, Smile TV, art workshops, painting children's radiotherapy masks and family support.