18 months ago I trained harder than I’ve ever done anything in my life to run the Great North Run. It’s was a huge challenge as I wasn’t a runner neither was I big into fitness. I injured my hamstring along the way. But was proud to complete the GNR in Sept 2021. 3 months later I fell pregnant & all running stopped. Now, 5 months after having my little boy I have decided to get back into running & challenge myself to take part in the Shrewsbury 10K with Piper Francis Jones & her parents in mind. Pipers parents, Chloe & Dan are friends of mine & I have seen a tiny insight to their lives over the last 3 years. Many months of which they have had to stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham. This is why I have chosen this charity to raise money for. Please read for Pipers story ♥️

Piper was two weeks old when her parents noticed something wasn’t right, she was breast fed and began  projectile vomiting after every feed, she also became extremely constipated not passing any stool for 10 days. Chloe, Piper’s mum took her to A&E on three separate occasions where she was told Piper had reflux and it was very common for babies that were breast fed to not pass stool as frequently. On day 10 of not opening her bowels a family friend that happened to be a midwife came over to their home and could instantly tell something wasn’t right. Along with the vomiting and constipation, Piper was unusually sleepy even for a new-born, after the vomits she would become floppy. During the visit from the midwife, PRH were contacted and Piper was instantly admitted to hospital for more tests. Initially doctors believed Piper may have sepsis. Their second thought was a severe dairy allergy and in the back pocket but ‘extremely unlikely’ was a genetic disease. After two weeks and no improvement to Piper, Telford were in touch with consultants at Birmingham Children’s hospital. Late one evening at the end of the two weeks, a nurse told Piper’s parents, ‘You are being transferred to Birmingham children’s hospital. Your daughter has a rare metabolic condition that needs to be treated urgently.’ Piper and her Mum were blue lighted in an ambulance to Birmingham, with her Dad, Dan, frantically following in the car. On arrival at midnight that evening, a kind consultant was there to meet Piper and her parents, that explained Piper has rare genetic condition known as Methylmalonic Acidemia that if left untreated has grave consequences.

Methylmalonic Acidemia also known as MMA is an extremely rare genetic condition that means Piper’s body cannot breakdown protein correctly, it leads to a build of toxic substances that affect every organ in her body. Many children that are born with MMA don’t receive a diagnosis early enough to survive, and those that do have issues with feeding, learning difficulties and frequent metabolic decompensations that have a threat to life. Piper’s quality of life since receiving this diagnosis has been very hard for her and her parents. For the 3 years on this planet, she has spent half of that in a hospital. In 2022, Piper developed further complication of this disease, pancreatitis. This caused an aneurism and she had to be taken for life saving surgery. Piper and her parents remain in Birmingham Childrens hospital.  They’ve managed a few home stints but have been back in the hospital after a few days due to persistent vomiting and metabolic decompensations.



Having a child in hospital is unimaginable, but Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham has eased the burden for Piper and her parents. They have provided the family with somewhere to stay through every single admission, free of charge. Can you imagine the expense if over all the time in hospital for hotels or travel? It has become a second home for the family, because when a child is sick the charity believes the whole family needs comfort. Not only does Ronald McDonald provide a place to get your head down, there are kitchen and communal areas on every floor which helps keep a sense of routine and normality for families. They also have a play room where Piper loves to go on the days she is feeling well. In summary, Ronald McDonald provides Piper’s family, and many other families across the UK a sense of normality and reduces financial strain, since 1989 they have supported over 60,000 families. They are an independent charity so the generosity from fundraising and doners contributes massively to keeping families, like Piper’s, close to their sick children. No child should have to go through what Piper has, but without the support of this amazing charity it would have made the journey incredibly harder so please think about donating today.