This page belongs to Olivia Porter, Mandy Carter and Vashti Marriott.

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On the 29^th May this year my sister Charlotte gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Giorgina Grace.  We had known from my sister’s initial 12 week scan that Giorgina had a condition called Gastroschisis which meant her bowel grew on the outside of her body.  This, we believed, meant little Giorgina would have to have an operation immediately after birth and a long stay in hospital following her op.  But other than this we were told 95 % of gastroschisis babies go on to live a normal, full and healthy life.

 Giorgina was born by caesarean 4 weeks premature weighing 4.5 pounds and was absolutely adorable.  Our indescribable joy however, was short lived.  We were told Giorgina’s bowel had twisted and no blood had been flowing through it.  Doctors tried to revive it for 24 hours but it was hopeless.  The very next day we were told there was nothing more they could do.  Our precious little Giorgina wasn’t going to survive.  They removed her bowel completely so Charlotte and her husband Andrew could cuddle and hold her for whatever time she had left.

 After 2 days in hospital whilst the sun beamed down on the rest of the country, little Giorgina Grace, with no food or water, was still fighting on.  The wonderful staff at Leeds General Hospital suggested to Charlotte and Andrew that they take their daughter to a children’s hospice called Martin House.  Understandably, at first they were reluctant, not knowing what to expect from such a place, but little Giorgina’s persistence and drive for life persuaded them to take her away from the medical environment.

 From the second I arrived at Martin House and saw Giorgina, Charlotte and Andrew, I can only describe the feeling within me as peace.  It was a beautiful little bit of paradise.  I expected great sadness there but that wasn’t the case, it was one of the happiest places I have ever experienced and I felt privileged and humbled to be a part of it.

 Alongside a sandpit, swings, slides, games and music to entertain the children, we could also take a stroll around the beautiful gardens, curl up on the sofa and watch TV or just sample some of the delicious home made cakes!  The staff work so hard to make sure not only the children and parents, but the rest of their families too are all completely comfortable and have everything they need.

 Giorgina Grace lived for 11 days.  The sun shone on her whole life.

 8 of those precious days were spent at Martin House and I know that Giorgina, Martin House and its wonderful staff will remain in our hearts forever.

I wanted to give something back to Martin House to thank them for all they did for my family and as they rely on 90% of their finance coming from fundraising events, this seemed a good idea.  So, my family, me, and my 2 best friends in the world, Vashti & Mandy are going to run the Great North Run.

Giorgina showed us all what strength really means.  As did Charlotte and Andrew.  If that little girl could live for that long without food or water, and my sister and her incredible husband can find the strength to get through that, then surely I can run a few miles??

 So that is why I am doing this.  For my amazing sister, Charlotte, her equally amazing husband Andrew, and of course, for my precious niece Giorgina Grace.

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Many Thanks,

Olivia Porter