This is Isabella (& her families) story.

Simeon (Isabella's Dad) and his friend Curtis are running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of Harry's HAT Charity.

In October 2024, less than 2 weeks before Isabella's due date her family were given devastating news that she was very poorly in the womb. She had severe Hydrocephalus, a condition where too much fluid builds up in and around the brain. So severe was the fluid build up, her prognosis was unknown. The NHS at their best pulled out all the stops and further tests gave a better prognosis.

Isabella was born in mid October 2024. She was transferred to a specialist Childrens Hsopital that same evening and underwent life saving brain surgery at just 23 hours old to fit a shunt (a device which drains the fluid).

In her first 4 months of life, Isabella has been admitted to hospital a further 3 times, including a further surgery due to complications with her shunt.

Isabella continues to do well, but there will no doubt be further challenges throughout her childhood and into adulthood.

Each year 1 in 770 babies will be diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, yet there is little awareness of he condition and its impact. The condition is treatable, but has no cure.

Harry's HAT are a small charity that has a huge impact on children and the families directly affected by paediatric Hydrocephalus. They support research and the delivery of training to frontline medical professionals to better inform their understanding of the condition. The charity have supported Isabella and her family, including her 5 year old brother.

Simeon and Curtis are running the Royal Parks Half Marathon just days before Isabella's 1st birthday. They hope to help raise vital funds so Harry's HAT can continue to support Isabella and other children like her. The charity aim to conduct further research and training into Hydrocephalus, and crucially support the next family whose lives are thrown into turmoil by an unexpected diagnosis.

Please donate whatever you can to support this amazing charity.