Lara was born on 22nd April 2017 - the perfect little baby girl.

When she was 10 days old, we noticed one evening that she had a high temperature and her breathing had become very rapid.  Suhani and I took her into A&E as a precaution expecting to be sent straight home - but less than 24 hours later we were being told by the doctors to prepare ourselves for possibility of the worst outcome imaginable.  Lara had meningitis and was deteriorating rapidly.

Over the coming days Lara fought like crazy with around the clock intensive medical treatment, countless injections, IV drugs and fluids and receiving oxygen from a tube...

... but, she pulled through - so far, thankfully, she seems to be on track to have made a full recovery with no lasting effects.  However, her illness and the experience of those days will forever stay with Suhani, myself and our families.

22nd April 2018, the date of the London Marathon, marks Lara's first birthday.  So I am running as a celebration for Lara, her strength and bravery and to raise money so that her experience can in some way benefit others. 

Your support will help the MRF continue to fund the support they give to families fighting and recovering from this disease, and the research they carry out in the attempt to make Lara's experience an increasingly rare one.

On the morning of 22nd April, spare a thought for me struggling round 26 miles... but much more importantly take a moment to say: Happy Birthday Lara!