We’re supporting Shine by taking on the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon!

Winner gets bragging rights for all the years to come! 🏃 💛

If you would like to read our story please follow this TikTok link https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRaSm5pH/

Every mile has a reason. This is ours. 💛

At the end of last year, our lives changed forever when we were told our unborn son, Harrison, had spina bifida (myelomeningocele).

What followed were some of the hardest months our family has ever faced. We travelled between hospitals, made impossible decisions, and

watched Beth undergo open fetal surgery in London in the hope of giving Harrison the very best start in life. Just four weeks later, Harrison arrived unexpectedly by emergency C-section, 10 weeks premature, weighing just 3lb 6oz.

He then spent 9½ weeks in the neonatal unit, where every day brought new challenges, new worries, and new victories. Through it all, Harrison has shown us what true strength looks like.

Our journey is far from over. Harrison will continue to have regular appointments and specialist care for years to come as we navigate life with spina bifida. While we don’t know exactly what the future holds, we do know we won’t be facing it alone.

That’s because of Shine.

From the moment we received Harrison’s diagnosis, Shine has been there. They provide expert advice, practical support, and reassurance to families like ours when everything feels overwhelming. Knowing there’s a charity dedicated to helping people with spina bifida throughout every stage of life has given us real comfort and confidence as parents.

As Harrison grows, we know Shine will continue to be there—for information, guidance, advocacy, and support whenever we need it.

I firmly believe in giving back. We have received so much already, and we’ll continue to benefit from Shine’s incredible work in the years ahead. That’s why I’ve signed up to run the Cardiff Half Marathon in October.

If you know me, you’ll know this is no small challenge—I genuinely hate running! But compared to what Harrison has already overcome in just the first few months of his life, 13.1 miles is nothing.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help Shine continue supporting families just like ours, ensuring no one has to face a diagnosis of spina bifida alone.

And it’s not just me getting involved. Harrison’s big sister, Sophia, proudly wears her Shine T-shirt whenever she gets the chance, including at parkrun, because she’s just as determined to support the charity that’s supporting her little brother.

If you’re able to donate, share this post, or simply help raise awareness of Shine and the incredible work they do, it would mean the world to our family.

Thank you for supporting Harrison, our family, and every family who will need Shine in the future.

💛 For Harrison. For Shine. For every family beginning this journey.

Shine provides specialist support from before birth and throughout the life of anyone living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, as well as to parents, families, carers and professional care staff. Shine enables people to get the best out of life. Everything we do is made possible by our generous supporters. Your donation helps individuals and families in your local communities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Every donation has the potential for profound impact.

THANK YOU for supporting Shine!