I am running the London marathon 2025 for SENSE with my brilliant Dad, and super friend/job share Helen, to celebrate the fact that Mia is rocking right into her 18th birthday in May.

I want to thank the charity that have stood by our family in many outstanding and practical ways for the past 18 years. Thanks to Sense, Mia is growing into the confident and independent adult that she is. SENSE is a charity that believes that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

Sense have provided Mia with so much practical, fun and creative support over the years. The list of how they have supported our family is endless, but includes…

1:1 play sessions at home with the outstanding Anne.

Tailored holidays for mia to go on without us to build her independence and to make new friends.

Advocacy and support with EHCPS and Child in Need meetings.

Training for her school and respite facilities about blindness.

Siblings groups for Leo and Iris

Trying new activities, such as skiing and kayaking.

Music sessions and a Saturday play group.

As Mia moves into adulthood, there is the possibility she could go to a college run by Sense, or eventually move into a house run by them.

Sense, and Anne in particular, have taught us for the past 18 years that there should be no limits to what Mia can achieve, as long as she has the right support around her.

I am excited, and a bit nervous, to run this race for mia. And hoping that next year she’ll be doing it with us!

Thanks for reading my page.

Fran x