On Tuesday 9th June 2026, our son Josh had a seizure at school and was taken to Derriford Hospital. The seizure did not stop with emergency medication and so he had to be sedated and intubated. We were transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital that night, where Josh spent a week in the PICU. Monday, 15th June, we were given the news that Joshua would not be able to recover from the significant and irreversible brain damage that had been revealed in an MRI scan.

From that moment, plans began to be put in place for us to travel to Little Harbour, the CHSW hospice which has supported our family for the past three years.

On Wednesday 17th June 2026, Josh passed away at Little Harbour.

Through the devastation and pain we have experienced as a family, the hospice team have been an incredible support to our whole family. They gave Josh the greatest dignity and made his final hours peaceful and precious. They supported Ruth and I as we made difficult decisions, held Josh, and wept. They gathered around our elder son, Sam, giving him space, distraction, or someone safe to chat with whenever he needed.

We already knew that CHSW was a charity well worth supporting, but this has rung true even more as we have experienced a side of their support that no parent ever wants to experience.

I am still planning on riding (though I may be a bit slower given the lack of training over the past two weeks), and I know I will be holding Josh close through every mile.

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After completing Ride for Precious Lives 2025, I've decided to do it all again, but this time in the opposite direction...

In July, I'll be cycling over 200 miles from Somerset to Cornwall in aid of CHSW to help raise vital funds to support and care for children and young people living with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

Please help me reach my fundraising goal and make precious memories for families of children with life-limiting conditions.