Anyone that knows me knows I dont walk, let alone 10 miles in the dark... but this walk is one with great meaning taking place a year and 2 days after we recieved the news that would shatter our lives.

Dougie Mac has become a huge part of our lives within the last year. Our beautiful daughter Robyn started to limp and refuse to use her right arm a couple of weeks after her 2nd birthday, we visited a&e and after an MRI discovered that Robyn had a brain abnormality.

This was expected to be treated easily but unfortunately her body did not respond. Robyns condition worsened over the following months and despite numerous tests including her first brain biopsy no answers were found.

In September Robyns condition declined rapidly, it not only took away her ability to walk but also took away her appetite, ability to use her right arm and caused numerous other neurological problems including seizures and episodes of extreme distress. At this point we were introduced to the palliative care team and with them Dougie Mac.

The hospice has provided us with so much support and love in an incredibly difficult and confusing time, they have given us space to process the unknown and have treated Robyn like royalty.

We may not know what Robyns future holds and are praying that her latest treatments continue to allow her to live a more comfortable life. Countless blood tests taking up to 25ml at a time, 8 MRIs, 2 CT scans, 2 brain biopsies, a skin biopsy, EEGs, genetic, metabolic and malignancy tests, numerous Lumbar Punctures and a bone marrow sample later we currently still have no answers to what has caused this or whether another rapid decline may happen after she has worked so hard to regain strength and abilities recently.

Being able to raise even a small amount for Dougie Mac would allow us to give what little we can back and allow them to continue their incredible work with all of the people they help to support. Dougie Mac is not just a place to say goodbye, it is a second home, a safe space, and is full of the most caring and amazing people. Singing, dancing, games, crafts and the best ball pit sliding are just some of the things Robyn gets up to when she visits, we will never be able to thank them enough.

Doing all of this for you Robyn. Your bravery and strength are inspirational. Keep fighting baby 💕