A few days before Christmas 2012, Jamie and I lost our son Alexander, who amongst other complications, had a rare and complex heart condition.  As a ‘thank you’ to the wonderful maternity unit at the Borders General Hospital where both Alexander and Hugo were born, I have set myself the challenge of running the Edinburgh half marathon to support them in their latest fund raising effort: to buy an additional portable scanner for the labour ward, costing £25,000. This will lower the chance of stillbirth by monitoring mothers experiencing reduced foetal movement and providing growth scans. 

I am also raising money for the cardiac unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where the wonderful William Brawn moved mountains to share his wisdom with us.  Mr Brawn, a specialist paediatric heart surgeon, is one of the most pioneering, skilled and ambitious surgeons in the world, performing emergency surgery on premature hearts the size of an adult thumbnail; life-or-death surgery, with nothing in between. 

For many of you, a half marathon might be a walk in the park.  For those more familiar with my sporting prowess, you’ll know that I might as well have signed up for the Marathon des Sables.

We are enormously grateful to both hospitals for all they have done for us.  If you feel able to sponsor me - however big or small - it would be hugely appreciated, thank you. 

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