Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This year I’m taking on the challenge of running the Great North Run for The Sick Children’s Trust, a charity that is incredibly close to mine and Martins hearts.

At 39 weeks pregnant I was referred for a scan due to static growth of my bump, It was at this scan that they detected that Zara had an abnormality and a plan was made for me to be induced so they could do an ultrasound scan when she was born. 

The ultrasound showed that it was a tumour which was running along the spinal cord passing from the chest to the tummy and in very close proximity to her vital organs. 

At 4 days old Zara was referred to the RVI Great North Children’s Hospital as further investigations were needed. Under the care of the oncology ward Zara underwent an MRI Scan and biopsy and the result from this was that it was a teratoma tumour. We were told that the location of this type of tumour was extremely rare and she would need to have surgery to remove it. 

At just 9 weeks old Zara underwent complex surgery to have a the tumour removed and following surgery she spent 2 weeks recovering on PICU at both the Freemans Hospital and the RVI. Whilst on PICU parents can’t stay by their children’s bedside but the Sick Children’s Trust provides a ‘Home from Home’ where families can stay whilst their child is in hospital, alleviating financial worries and helping the mental wellbeing of the families they support.

Myself and Martin were very lucky to be able to benefit from the fantastic facilities that the Sick Children’s Trust provides. Zara’s time in hospital was an extremely anxious time for us and even being a two minute walk from her bedside seemed too far at times, I can’t imagine how much more difficult her time in hospital would have been if the ‘Home from Home’ wasn’t available.

Please help me raise vital funds for such an incredible charity so that families with a sick child in hospital can continue to receive the amazing support the Home from Homes offer.

Thank you