I’ve signed up to take on the continuous 100km ultra challenge through the Peak District.

This is going to be one of the hardest physical challenges I’ve ever done — a long day of running and walking, likely 17+ hours on my feet. But the truth is, this challenge means a lot more than just the distance.

I’m doing this for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), a charity that supported my beautiful little girl Matilda and our family following her open heart surgery when she was just 5 days old.

During one of the most difficult and emotional times in our lives, CHSF were there in so many ways. They help to provide food vouchers while staying in hospital, small but meaningful gifts like Katie Bear (their mascot teddy), certificates and medals for heart warriors, and crucial emotional and psychological support for families going through similar experiences.

When your child is in hospital after heart surgery, you feel helpless. I struggled massively with that — not being able to change what was happening, only trying to stay strong for Matilda and get through each day. The support from CHSF made an incredibly difficult time just that bit more bearable.

In many ways, I keep thinking: if I can get through those moments and the pain of seeing her go through that, then I can get through this challenge too. This run is my way of turning that experience into something positive.

I’ve wanted for a long time to give something back, but never felt able to do anything meaningful enough. I may not be able to change what we went through, but I can take on something that pushes me to my limits to help support other families who will go through the same thing.

Every donation will go directly to CHSF to help them continue supporting families like ours — through practical help, emotional support, and moments of comfort during some of the hardest days imaginable.

Thank you so much for reading, and for any support you can give. It truly means more than I can put into words.