This spring, the Waters family will each be taking on a challenge to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Charity — a place that has given our family hope, comfort, and so much care during a tough period of our lives.

Our challenges:

March: Ric, Benny and Ida will each be covering 100km on foot across the month— two children with unlimited energy and powered by snacks, and one adult who has confidently volunteered to match them!

April: I’ll be running the Manchester Marathon — only my second marathon and I am noticeably less fit than last time, marginally older, and held together largely by stubbornness and caffeine.

Alder Hey is where Benny received two years of treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and where we still visit regularly for check ups. We will always be grateful for the care, kindness, and reassurance we find there. It is a place where Benny feels safe and happy, Ida is always made to feel special when she visits and where we, as parents feel we were in the very best hands.

Not only are the people who work there extraordinary, but the charity helps fund so much of what makes Alder Hey truly special — not just vital equipment, but all the little touches that bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normality to children during treatment.

Every donation, big or small, helps Alder Hey continue doing the amazing things that make such a difference to families like ours. Thank you for supporting us, cheering us on, and helping this incredible charity — and most importantly, for sponsoring Ric before he realises he’s just signed up to voluntarily suffer 100km with Ida asking 'have we done it yet?' from the third km.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.