Five years ago my cousin Vivi and her husband Gordon lost their beautiful little girl Isla. Isla was born with a very rare, incurable metabolic disease called MADD. The doctors had warned them that babies with this disease rarely survive past six months old, but against all the odds and mainly due to the incredible care from her parents, Isla survived far past that until nearly her second birthday.

Isla was a beautiful, playful girl who had a wicked sense of humour. Despite the gruelling regime that Vivi and Gordon had to maintain to keep her condition stable and the numerous periods of hospitalisation, they managed to give her an unbelievably full life full of laughter and love. This was partly possible due to support from Shooting Star Chase which allowed them the time and space to see past Isla’s disease and enjoy the cheeky toddler that she was.

Shooting Star Chase is a hospice that provides vital care for babies and children with life limiting conditions and their families. Isla went to this wonderful place for a few days every couple of months allowing Vivi and Gordon to have a few days of much needed rest so they were able to recharge safe in the knowledge she was being loved and cared for.

Having only recently received a place to run the London Marathon this year, I have (as always) left both fundraising and training to the last minute. But all of that is irrelevant as this is a great cause and one that is very close to my heart. Please help me raise money for this wonderful place in memory of this much missed little girl