Myself and 3 friends are running 100km from London to Henley in the Thames Path Challenge to raise money for Emily and Matt Hemsley, close friends of ours, who had their world turned upside down when their youngest child Alfie was diagnosed with leukemia in March this year.

After suffering from weight loss, nose bleeds and bruising, a series of blood tests revealed that Alfie had Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow

Emily has stayed in hospital with Alfie for many months now, with only short visits home between chemotherapy treatments, when Alfie has been well enough to leave. Matt has been looking after the couple's two other children and visiting as much as possible.

For Emily and Alfie their days are mostly spent sitting on a hospital bed, making Alfie feel as comfortable as possible, helping him rest and trying to control his inevitable pain from the chemo.

For the family, Alfie and Emily in particular, the hospital stay has been grueling. But since their stay they have been introduced to the work of many great charities. One in particular is Rosie's Rainbow Fund. Emily explains the difference the charity has made to them:

"Today the ward arranged for me to have the most
amazing birthday massage. A charity called Rosie’s Rainbow Fund provide things like music therapy one on one if the child can’t leave the room, which Alfie adores and it takes his mind off his pain. They also have a massage therapist who provides parents much needed relaxation in a spa room, all on the ward, and it gives parents a break from the stresses that come with having a very poorly child like Alfie. Today for the first time I accepted while the nurses looked after Alfie. These charities are unbelievable and make such a difference. I feel like a new woman and refreshed to keep going through this long and stressful time. The charity was set up by the parents of an 11 year old girl, Rosie, who they sadly lost here at the John Radcliffe Hospital."