Many of you who knew me almost three years ago might remember this - but when my perfect little nephew Freddie was born, he was almost immediately hospitalised with a very serious condition called VLCADD. At just a day old, he stopped breathing and started having seizures. My sister-in-law and brother had to perform emergency CPR while multiple ambulances were sent to their address to help save him.

Now if you're a complete emotional mess of a human being like me you might be close to bawling your eyes out at this point, but DON'T WORRY. Freddie has made the most insane and unprecedented recovery and is thriving like you wouldn't believe. He is clever and funny and cheeky and brings a smile to absolutely everyone's face. He is literally known in his medical circles as The Mystery VLCADD Baby, his recovery is remarkable. 🥰

So after that scary episode Freddie spent just under a month at the Evelina London Children's Hospital, having been blue-lighted there from Basingstoke. The team diagnosed him, taught his parents how to feed him, and brought in physio, speech and language, dietitians and more to make sure every base was covered. And they cared for not just Freddie but his whole family — including his three-year-old sister Amelia, who joined them after four days and spent the rest of the time there too. The Evelina arranged temporary accommodation and food for the family, and Ronald McDonald House stepped in to house them from that point on. Amelia had play areas, activities and other children and families around her, and through partnerships with MediCinema and Ronald McDonald House, the Evelina works hard to bring some semblance of normal life to everyone on that ward. 😭

I know we all moan about the NHS, but the Evelina Childrens Hospital has a real place in my heart and my family's. They nursed Freddie back to health and have stayed in touch ever since, teaching his parents how to care for him as he grows and even working with his nursery so they knew how to look after him too. While his story with VLCADD isn't necessarily over, things are a lot brighter these days. He doesn't need anywhere near as many trips to the Evelina anymore.

This May, (National Walking Month), I'm taking part in their sponsored walk. I'll be walking 104 miles, one for every thousand children cared for at the hospital each year.

104,000 Freddies. 💙💙

Everything raised will go towards supporting the care of children, young people and their families at the Evelina. We were so lucky that Freddie's story has gone the way it has, but of course the sad truth is that isn't the experience for every family who walks through those doors.

Anything you can give would be hugely appreciated.