Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In August 2011 Helen, aged 32, died as a result of a rare complication called an Amniotic Fluid Embolism whilst giving birth to a beautiful daughter, Niamh, who she never got the opportunity to meet. Helen's husband Mark, who has been a wonderful father to Niamh, wanted to honour Helen's memory by fundraising for two charities. Those are Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Helen's favourite charity highlighted here, and the other charity to whom donations can also be made is the AFE Foundation, a group supporting survivors of AFE and their families. Mark along with our friend Kristian Headland will be cycling from Ashington to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Helen's favourite city, in August/September 2012. You can visit Mark's page for this event here: http://www.justgiving.com/Helen-Robertson4

Mark has been a close friend of mine since childhood, and in all the time I've known him he has never been happier than during the time he spent with Helen, who also became a good friend to me over a number of years and who I'm sure would be proud of Niamh and of what Mark seeks to achieve in her honour. When Mark told us of his intentions, many of us wanted to get involved. As part of the fundraising process I have entered the Great North Run, a half marathon which is to take place on Sunday, September 16th, 2012. I am hoping for as much sponsorship as possible, donations taken on this page will go towards Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, while those wishing to make a donation to the AFE Foundation can do so here http://afesupport.org/upcoming-events/ clicking on the link for 'The Helen Robertson Memorial Bike Ride' (AFE Foundation donations for all fundraising events are being taken via the main link to Mark and Kristian's event) and using the 'Donate' button at the bottom. Please click on the 'additional information for the seller box' when you review your amount if you donate to AFE Foundation and write 'Helen Robertson' in the box, so that these donations can be tracked for the fundraising total.

Offline donations for both charities are also welcome, so if anyone wishes to donate but does not wish to do so online, there will also be the option to do this via sponsorship forms or alternative arrangements. There are no costs involved in doing the run as I am already registered and will cover any additional expenses myself, so all money raised here will go directly to charity.

To keep up with the latest news, fundraising activities and progress for all events taking place in Helen's memory, please visit this page: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Helen-Robertson-Memorial-Ride-2012/300885849923377 

Thanks,

Steven.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.