Hi everyone

My brother, mother in law and I will be raising money, and will be taking part in the Swindon half marathon on the 28th September 2025.

We are raising money for a fantastic charity called Annabelles challenge. This charity supports patients and families affected by Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS). Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare genetic connective tissue disorder that weakens blood vessels, internal organs, and skin. It's characterized by fragile tissues, leading to a risk of potentially life-threatening complications like arterial ruptures, dissections, or aneurysms, as well as organ ruptures. vEDS is caused by mutations in the COL3A1 gene, impacting collagen production and function.

Annabelles challenge help by bringing families together, spreading awareness and funding trials, in hopes of one day finding medicine to help people manage this illness or better yet find a cure.

This charity lives close to mine and my families hearts, as devastatingly my daughter Ally who is 5 has this horrid condition. She was diagnosed at 2 years old through genetics from an unrelated symptom, which found the mutations in the COL3A1 gene.

Ally is at risk daily from life-threatening complications like arterial ruptures, dissections, or aneurysms, as well as organ ruptures, she will have to be careful for the rest of her life, which in return she will have limitations in sports, as well as anything which can affect her blood pressure, as this has been proven to increase the risk of sudden dissections, aneurysms or organ ruptures.

Even with all the risks that come with this awful condition, we try to allow Ally to have her independence and will try not to completely restrict her as she grows, as we feel it is important for her to live a happy and fulfilling life, as scary as we all feel, her happiness is the most important thing to us all.

Many thanks for your support

Love the Latham family