As many of you already know, our 3rd child Abi, was born with Down's syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects just 1 in 1,000 new born babies in the UK.

I wanted to mark her first birthday with an event I can raise money for, to help put back some of the totally amazing support and guidance my family have received over the past 12 months.

I, like many others, knew very little about 'DS'; and did the worst thing we all generally do nowadays of 'Googling it' when we are confronted by situations like this.

Those few initial hours, days and weeks were exceptionally tough - in terms of what could be confronting us head on, whilst we were going through a whole range of emotions – on reading what our future would now entail. It was a very difficult time in our lives where everything around Tash and I stopped for those first few days.

The support and guidance we received from DS support networks, and in particular the NHS, was thoroughly overwhelming - giving both of us the knowledge and comfort we so desperately needed; as well as the many tests to understand how Abi is affected and what support she will need immediately and in the future.

Abi has been an utter joy and pleasure to have around over the last year, who has ‘completed’ the family Tash and I have always wanted; from her soppy smiles first thing in the morning, her superb appetite, enjoying her swimming, yoga and singing classes, to her ‘high 5’s’ when I come home from work. We feel incredibly blessed to have her in our lives and she is adored by her older sister and brother. It has been an incredible journey for all of us that we would never change.

The 2 charities I am supporting are www.downrightexcellent.org  and www.downs-syndrome.org.uk - so if you are able to contribute, any donation will be much appreciated, either by card here or simply text:

My code                              UPAD99

With the amount               £

To                                         70070

Thanks guys, from someone who has recently been through a life changing experience, your cash will greatly affect others when they are also told their new born baby, just a few hours old, whom they had been anticipating for over the past 9 months, is the 1 in 1,000 born with Down's syndrome.

Its appreciated.