OK. So the cute baby picture has got your attention. This is our little girl Charlotte. She is utterly brilliant, but she hasn't had the easiest start in life.

Charlotte Emily Berrido was born with a rare liver disease, called biliary atresia. It affects only 50 children every year in this country. It is a complex disease, but it mainly means that the bile ducts outside her liver do not work properly. Our little legend fought hard and had more medication, scans and injections in her short life than any adults I know. At 7 weeks she had a 6 hour operation to try and correct things. Unfortunately, this did not work and she was put on the the list for a liver transplant at just 6 months of age.

Luckily for her, 3 months later a family made the toughest decision of their lives and kindly gave permission for a member of their family to donate their organs. She got a quarter of the liver and the disease ridden one was removed. From that point on a normal life for Charlotte started. She is enjoying eating for the first time and she can't stop smiling.

But this isn't about her, its about the people who help and support all the confused parents, families and children dealing with liver disease. On the 16th September my sister and I ran and completed the Great North Run to raise money for Children's Liver Disease Foundation. The charity funds research, passes on invaluable medical information, and provides emotional and practical support to families that are going through the same difficult and tough time as we are right now. They deserve every penny you can give them, as it has been really comforting to speak to people that know what you are going through and are available to talk to you when you need them.

Thank you to all those that have given so far and to those that are looking at this site because they are planning on giving.