Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have chosen to raise money for Butterwick Hospice this year as they are, and will continue to support myself and my family in the most traumatic time of our lives... losing my precious son James.

James died very peacefully in my arms at home on the 29 May 2012, just days before his 11th birthday.

James went to Butterwick for respite day care 1 day a week and it was planned for it to be there where he would finally lose his battle, but he deteriated very quickly so we didn't have enough time to get him there. He did however lay in rest there for 10 days prior to his funeral service which was the day after his birthday. Butterwick offer myself and my family support both physically and emotionally and also work with Katie, James' little sister, through play and 'messy time' in the craft room. They have also helped us make some very precious keepsakes of James.

For those who don't know James' story... he battled with a massive brain tumour since before he was born. He was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour that had invaded a third of his brain when he was just a baby of 6 months old. Since that day, 20 December 2001, he had to endure 4 long years of chemotherapy and a 6 week course of daily radiotherapy as the tumour kept regrowing after each course of treatment, and had to spend much of his life in hospital or in isolation due to his lack of immune system. The tumour and treatment had left James registered blind and disabled along with a range of what the medical teams called 'complex needs'. Back in September 2010 we were told there were no more options for treatment and with the tumour growing again his condition was terminal.

James was a precious and very popular boy who melted the hearts of everyone he met. There was close to 300 people at his funeral service! He never once complained, even through all of his years of treatment, and was always polite. After each of his traumatic procedures he would say "Thankyou" to all the nurses. He was never naughty. He always had a smile and a giggle. He could recite the alphabet backwards faster than I can say it forwards! He could read and type braille. He was a pleasure. He was clever, he was amazing, and he was funny. He was my son. And now I have a gaping hole where he once was.

We were living with the threat of a time bomb for 10 years, and now that threat is a reality. No-one could see the ticking clock inside his head, and over his last few months day by day I lost a little piece of my son.

My challenges this year include a sponsored slim, the Keswick Half Marathon on 6 May, the Hamsterley Forest 10k on 15 July, the Middlesbrough 10k on 2 September, the Great North Run on 16 September and the Border Reivers Half Marathon at RAF Spadeadam on 24 October 2012.

NB...Unfortunately I have had to pull out of the Keswick Half Marathon due to injury but I intend to take part in an event equivalent to it...watch this space...

For my slim I am challenging myself to lose 2 stones (28 lbs).

Last year you were amazing and helped me raise over a £1000 for 2 other charities that have been close you my heart.

My initial target for this year was £1000, which was smashed, so I doubled it to £2000 which was smashed too! So what can we reach this year? £3000? £4000? more?? I am sure we can!! please, please, PLEASE support me again this year, and in turn support this amazing and most valued charity.

You can also donate by text by texting RACH74 £(1-10) to 70070. How easy is that???

So please dig deep and donate NOW!

ps... if any of you would like to join me in raising money for Butterwick then you are very welcome to join me!! in any of my challenges!!!

Thankyou.

RIP James. good night, sleep tight and shine bright. x

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