We are raising money for the Evelina Children's Hospital at St Thomas', London by running the New York City Marathon on 1 November 2015. This is going to be something of a challenge, for Lian who has picked up every conceivable injury in the last 3 months of training (currently battling one stress fracture, one shin splint and a damaged Achilles) and for sleep deprived Max who will have become a father for the first time just a few weeks prior to the race!

Evelina is the second largest specialist children's hospital in the country (after Great Ormond Street) and cares for over 55,000 young patients per year. Its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is one of the UK's leading clinics, specialising in the care of new-born babies who are premature and very sick, some of which have been born as much as 16 weeks early and weigh just 500 grams.  It’s a simple case of luck as to whether or not someone's child would need these facilities. To give birth to a baby and be told that they have a life-threatening condition but will not survive purely because of a lack of equipment isn't something that any parent should have to go through.

This charity is close to both of our hearts as a very special little girl we both know (and who is also Max's niece), Ottilie Grace Pick, has been cared for by the Evelina since she was born 9 weeks prematurely in 2013 and would not be alive today were it not for the life saving surgery and ongoing care provided by the amazing staff at the Evelina.  Ottie has a congenital heart defect and brittle bones, among numerous other health issues, and has spent much of the first two years of her life at the Evelina - both as an inpatient and outpatient.  Despite all of these challenges, she is one of the sweetest, brightest and happiest little people you could wish to meet and an inspiration to us all. 

We will also be running in memory of our beautiful friend Esther Hartsilver who was tragically taken from us earlier this year. Esther was a running enthusiast who dreamt of completing the NY marathon herself. In a true effort to 'Be More Esther' we will run every one of the 26.2 miles in her honour. Esther, darling, this one's for you. 

Please help us make a difference (and Lian to feel better about having to limp around over 26 miles in the freezing cold and Max for having to abandon his newborn) by making a donation to our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/nyc2015

We're beyond grateful for your support - however small or large.

Don't forget to tick the box to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation if you're a UK tax payer. JustGiving will pass this on in full to charity, making your donation go even further.