In February this year, a beloved member of our community, Lucy Radford, faced an unimaginable challenge when her young son, Connor, was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Connor is now on a courageous journey, supported by the love of his family and the dedicated staff at Bristol Children’s Hospital. The hospital is providing exceptional medical care, ensuring he receives the best possible treatment during this difficult time.

We are incredibly grateful for the work done by 'Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal', an amazing charity that supports the hospital in making the experiences of children like Connor and their families more bearable. Their efforts focus on critical areas such as:

• Family accommodation

• State-of-the-art equipment

• Music, play, and art therapy

• Enhancing the hospital environment to be more child-friendly

• Facilitating care at home when possible.

To show our support for this brave child and his family, we are organising a fundraising event: 'A run for Connor'. This will take place over 24 hours, starting at 8 PM on Friday, July 11th, 2025, and concluding at 8 PM on Saturday, July 12th. The run will begin and end at Hall and Woodhouse by The Marina. Participants will run in one-hour intervals, either solo or in groups. For those unable to join us in Portishead due to distance or other commitments, runners will run their hour wherever they may be.

We invite you to join us in this inspiring effort to raise £2.000 for 'Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal'. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of children facing similar battles.

A personal message from Lucy:

"On 5th February 2025, we received the news no parent should ever have to hear: our 3-year-old son, Connor, was diagnosed with leukaemia. It hit us hard.

The next 14 days were spent in hospital as inpatients. It was an incredibly dark and difficult time. Only one parent was allowed to stay with Connor overnight, so I remained with him while my husband and our extended family visited daily to give me short breaks. I would occasionally go out for a run, just to clear my head and gather some strength.

Throughout it all, the staff at the Children’s Hospital were simply incredible. On Connor’s birthday—spent in hospital—he was given presents by the hospital team. After every tough procedure, there was a little light: a visit to the treasure box, where children can pick a small toy or treat. It might seem like a small gesture, but in those moments, it meant everything. So much effort and funding goes into making the hospital feel less like a hospital, and more like a place of comfort and care—for both children and families.

With your support, we can help other families going through the unthinkable feel a little less alone. Your donation can make a real difference.

Thank you for standing with us. ❤️"