I am taking part in the 'Run in the Dark' 10k at Battersea Park on the 16th November in memory of my niece, Rosie Mayling, and the charity she inspired.  Rosie was clever, talented, kind, funny, mischievous, generous and exceptionally musical.  Born into a musical family, Rosie had a love of all the performing arts.  She was concerned with taking action when something needed to be done.  At the age of 9 she wrote, directed and staged a musical to raise funds for a young friend with Rhett syndrome in need of a wheelchair. Rosie's motto was, "don't just talk about it, do it!"  In December 2002 Rosie became ill and was diagnosed with Vasculitis, a rare and devastating illness affecting the blood vessels.  Sadly, when Rosie should have been enjoying her time as bridesmaid at my wedding to her Uncle Colin, she was suffering the effects of the condition and bravely battling through the invasive treatments.  Rosie was discharged from hospital at the end of April 2003 but 6 days later suffered a fatal pulmonary haemorrhage, aged just 11.  During her time at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford Rosie expressed a wish to raise money for the new children's hospital and to help other children undergoing lengthy hospital stays.  It became increasingly apparent to Rosie how difficult, lonely and stressful it can be spending months in hospital and she told her Mum, Carolyn, that when she got better she wanted to do something to help.  Though Rosie tragically did not live long enough to fulfill that desire, Rosie's Rainbow fund works hard to "not just talk about it, do it" in her memory.

Rosie’s Rainbow Fund recognises the physical, emotional & spiritual impact a child's serious or life-limiting illness or disability has on a child as well as the family unit. We offer a multi-pronged approach to supporting children & families through every phase of coping with serious illness & disability in hospital, schools, & the community. We provide music therapy to children in hospital, pastoral care & therapeutic massage for parent carers, special-needs music classes in schools, & bereavement counselling to parents who have lost a child.