Just4Children are fundraising to support Mabli to provide her with the life changing therapies and specialist equipment she needs to thrive.

I am running the Dale Half Marathon for my daughter, Mabli.

Mabli is my hero and my rock. She inspires me every single day with her strength, determination and happiness, despite everything she faces. She never gives up, and she fights every day to achieve milestones most of us take for granted, from picking up a spoon and trying to feed herself, to one day walking unaided.

As of today (29th June), I’ve just signed up for the Dale Half Marathon! Which doesn’t give me a huge amount of time to train. Dale is also known for its big hills, so I know this won’t be easy, but it’s nothing compared to what Mabli faces every single day.

Mabli has a rare condition called GAND (GATAD2B Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder), with only around 450 known cases worldwide. It affects every part of her development, from movement and communication to learning and independence.

What many people don’t see is the reality behind the scenes. Early intervention is so important for Mabli’s growth and development, and she needs constant repetition through therapies to make progress. But the truth is, a lot of what she needs simply isn’t provided, or not provided enough.

When I recently attended a GAND conference, I heard something that has stayed with me ever since — that families often have to choose whether to focus funding on mobility or communication. As a parent, that completely broke me. No parent should ever have to make that choice.

The reality is that the therapies, specialist equipment, and support Mabli needs all come at a significant cost. For example, her specialist pram alone cost £5,700. These things are life-changing for Mabli, helping her access the world safely and build her independence. Thanks to the amazing support so far, she’s already made incredible progress, and we just want to give her the best possible chance in life.

I want to start doing more to help my daughter thrive and have access to everything she needs. Her giggles truly are priceless to me.

This run is a challenge for me, but it’s about giving something back for everything Mabli teaches us every single day.

If you can support in any way, it genuinely means the world to us. And if anyone would like to help raise money for Mabli as well, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.