Watch Pippa's journey video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tTeZdZdir8

In February our life changed forever! Following a glorious family holiday, Pippa suddenly became paralysed over a matter of hours caused by a Spinal Tumour that had sadly been unknowingly growing for quite some time.

Pippa had life saving emergency surgery followed up by two extensive surgeries and has spent the last 6 months in hospital. Pippa has had to learn to move her entire body again. The gruelling intensive journey would test even the strongest adults, let alone a six year old girl! She has been phenomenal!!! Much of her improvement is down to her dedicated determination and intensive rehab.

Pippa has daily physio alongside other therapies and has had to learn to sit up, crawl, stand and take steps. Pippa will be wheelchair dependent for the majority of her activity. Spinal Cord Injury is not 'fixed'. It is a lifelong rehabilitation and exercise program to try to maximise independence and minimise complicated secondary issues.

Pippa was transferred to the National Spinal Injuries Centre in July where 9 of the 12 paediatric spinal beds in the UK are located. This Friday we get discharged and begin our journey living with her new disability at home and spending more time as a family again!

We've relied on a lot of people and support throughout our time in hospital and we are incredibly grateful! While at Bristol childrens hospital an amazing charity called The Grand Appeal provided us with charity accommodation, allowing us an ensuite room to use close to the hospital. Without this accommodation this heartbreaking journey would have been even more challenging!

The Grand Appeal also provides lots of the extras that critically ill children need in hospital. This included playrooms, toys, gifts, music therapists, magicians, music performances, forest schools. The list is endless. These 'extras' give very poorly children a chance to feel normal, to experience joy in a time where life is anything but joyful.

At the end of September we've set Pippa a challenge, to see how far she can walk in 5 minutes! We are hoping you will sponsor her to show her just how incredible it is to see how far she's come and also to help our family 'give back' to the charity that made this year achievable. We'd love for you to sponsor this walk!!