On 13 September 2026 I will be running 21.1km in The Great North Run to raise funds for The Sick Children's Trust.

The Sick Children’s Trust is a UK charity providing free 'Homes from Home' for families with seriously ill children in hospital. This is a hugely personal cause for me, as The Sick Children's Trust provided invaluable support to my family during the 18 months our daughter was critically unwell in hospital.

Luna was born in 2021 and was immediately placed on life support. She was subsequently diagnosed with a genetic condition that affects multiple systems in the body. At four months old she was transferred from our local neonatal unit to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for open-heart surgery, where she remained until she was almost 19 months old. During this time she underwent four major surgeries, countless procedures and spent a significant amount of time in intensive care on life support.

Throughout our time at GOSH, The Sick Children's Trust provided us with accommodation in Guildford Street House and Rainbow House, both less than five minutes' walk from the hospital. It is difficult to describe the anxiety and stress that comes with having a very poorly child, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on a family.

Knowing that one of us was never more than a few minutes away from Luna made an enormous difference. We had somewhere to prepare a meal rather than rely on hospital canteens and vending machines, somewhere to rest, and support from other families who truly understood what we were going through.

I honestly believe that the support provided by The Sick Children’s Trust helped me to be a better parent to both Luna and my then two-year-old. Having a homely, peaceful and safe place to stay allowed me to recharge before and after the most difficult days and nights. I am not sure what we would have done without it, and we only lived around an hour from GOSH. Many of the families we met had travelled from much further afield and relied even more heavily on the charity's support.

I would love to raise as much money as possible for this fantastic, friendly charity that most people will never hear of until they need its support.

I grew up in Northumberland, so running The Great North Run for this cause is doubly meaningful to me. Running 13 miles still feels pretty unrealistic, so any support you can give, no matter how small, would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you,

Jo