These things really matter: Living life to the full - even if you have an illness which means you might die before you're 18; having a safe-haven to turn to, even (and especially) when times get tough; knowing that if you can't speak, or if you can't choose for yourself, that you will get the best possible care when and where you need it. 

These things matter most: Creating memories for mums and dads whose baby may only live a few weeks or days; being there for those last days, hours and minutes of a child's life; and helping parents through the most impossible of times - the death of their son or daughter - so that they are able to live on, proudly remembering their child, and all of their extraordinary life.  

In short, turning experiences that could be remembered for death and dying into stories that are all about life and living. And helping families live on. 

That's Claire House Children’s Hospice.

We have a dream that we will one day be able to help all of the children and families in our catchment area. We need your help to achieve this: 2 million people is a lot of people to talk to - which is the only way to make sure that every child and family who could use Claire House knows about us and tells us what support they need. 

We're committed to this dream, and we know that it will take a lot of hard work to achieve it. We also know that we will need to raise more funds to help more children. 

My role in this? I'm running in Excalibur on the 10th May (http://www.conquerexcalibur.org.uk/) and the Wirral Triathlon on the 31st August (http://www.merseytri.org.uk/events/2014/3/22/the-wirral-triathlon)  (Does this count as a 'quadrathlon'?) I will probably drown in both of them! 

I've never done events like these before - and as I turn 40 in July I thought I had better use up all that my knees have left to offer. I promise to keep you up to date with my survival of this weekend’s rain-fest in north Wales and my triathlon drowning, I mean, training…. as well as stories from Claire House to help you to see what an extraordinary difference you have helped to make.

Update 16/5/2014:

Good news – not only did I survive, but I came 3^rd (a change of arrow here and a shortcut there works wonders). Thank so much to everyone who has donated to the wonderful cause that is Claire House. If you want a giggle, I was asked to talk to Bay TV after the event: http://www.baytvliverpool.com/vod/index.php?vid=EBV5371ddf90d6e5

The bad news – because I survived, I will now be able to hassle the rest of your for sponsorship ahead of the really big challenge of the Wirral Triathlon on the 31^st August. I will send out the odd note to keep you up to date with my learning-not-to-drown training and my how-not-to-get-wobbly-legs-when-I-get-off-my-bike sessions.

Great news – if you donate, you’ll get an impossibly warm glow, knowing that you did something brilliant, like this: This is the story of Jack, who died at Claire House 2 years ago. When I spoke to Jack’s mum about sharing his story, this is what she said:

“Jack always loved helping people and making people happy, I hope our story will help to raise awareness and money for all the families you help.

Jack’s life was an open book, and with the help of Claire House it was a story with lots of adventures. The final chapter has not yet ended as Jack is still helping lots of people and most of all, me. I am very proud of what Jack achieved in his lifetime" 

To read Jack's story just click on the thumbnail picture on my justgiving fundraising page. 

Update 15/8/2014

Just two weeks to go until my inevitable drowning in the West Kirby Marine Lake and I have been sent the race details, which say things like "the lake is known to have hosted Weaver Fish, known for their sharp spines, which can be a hazard to swimmers. We ask when you enter the water you keep your feet off the bottom".....and..... "at temperatures less than 11 degrees it is recommended no swimming take place" I'm not sure why they're telling me this, but I assume it must be pretty cold in there. So its even worse than I thought!  

Still it's for a great cause: Here's a perspective shared by Andrew Pickering, a member of our fundraising team, who puts into words how many of us feel when we meet the families who come to Claire House for support:

"When I was in the Hospice recently I met a young boy with his dad. Firstly they struck me because the dad seemed about the same age as me and his little lad was exactly the same age and size as my own son. When the boy turned round I saw he had a ten foot plastic tube leading from a hole in his throat to an oxygen pack which his dad carried round in a backpack. This is the only way his son could walk, run, adventure and explore.

The young lad was a livewire, a lovely, cheeky chap who was full of energy and spark. I found it incomprehensible that he is not expected to grow to be a man. 

I felt immense sadness for this young boy and his dad and I immediately put myself in the dad’s place. But for the luck of the draw, that could be any of us. At the same time I also felt hugely proud to be a part of Claire House; that we are there for children and families who have to face unimaginable situations."

Thank you again for being part of our journey, and the journeys of the children and families whom we support. You're amazing. And as a treat to use when you've donated, here's a little thank you from all of us at Claire House: 

David

P.S. Click on this you tube clip and you'll realise just how important this is... and please send it on to anyone else you think should / could support Claire House: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL8Ji4H7xfs

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The boring bit.......

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.