Many will know that I have been running for a while now and it has always been my aim to eventually run a full marathon. One reason for this is to be able to fundraise for our very unique and personal story.

In 2015 my beautiful first child Skyla was born. After a normal pregnancy and birth we set out on our journey as parents. Between 18 months and 2 years old it became clear that Skyla was not developing in the expected way. Most obviously with speech. Our journey as parents changed significantly and at 3 years old Skyla was diagnosed with level 3 Autism.

At 9 years old (10 by the time I run) Skyla’s speech is still reduced and she receives extensive support through school and from us.

Skyla is our world! Everyday as Skyla’s parents is challenging, but everyday is beautiful and different! We now live life ‘The Skyla way’ However, it would be a lie to say that our journey has not been tough, and still continues to be. The uncertainty of not knowing what was happening with Skyla in the early years of her development will forever be one of the most frightening periods of our lives but as life has gone on we have learned to embrace the difference of Skyla and all become better versions of ourselves as a result! Now, as a family of 4, Skyla’s younger brother, Zander, is also learning the beauty of being different in the most direct way as Skyla’s brother. Skyla is living and developing her way and making everyone who knows her and works with her better people just by being herself. She is an inspiration.

Skyla has enabled me to become a type of dad I didn’t know I could be. She makes me so proud. A truly unique and beautiful individual who I will fight and advocate for forever! Every time I run, no matter, the distance I think about my children and the person they have made me become and how I want nothing more than to be the dad they need and want me to be.

I am therefore running my first marathon for Skyla, for being the unique, beautiful individual that she is, for Zander for being the burst of positive energy we all needed and being a wonderful brother and son, and for Emma, our inspiration of a wife and mummy which even through the hardest times where I struggled to accept Skyla’s journey was always our rock and strength through it all! I also run for all other families who have gone through a process similar to ours.

I am fundraising for an inspiration local charity SNAPPY. The Snappy Trust is a small charity, based in York, dedicated to maximising the personal development of children and young people with wide ranging disabilities.

I have worked with SNAPPY directly through my work and Skyla has also engaged in some of their sessions. They are inspirational and provide excellent experiences and activities for children and young people like Skyla but also with other extensive disabilities. SNAPPY also celebrate there 40th Anniversary this year and I can think of no better charity to raise for with this personal journey.

Thank you for reading about our families story x 💖 💙 💜 🧩

and I hope you can donate any amount towards this worthy and personal cause that not only supports us but many other families in and around York.