In 2022 at 24 weeks pregnant we found out our baby had a rare and serious heart condition, Transposition of the Great Arteries. Essentially, our baby’s 2 main arteries were the wrong way round. This condition is described as “not compatible with life”.

Plans were made for our baby to be born at St Thomas’ hospital and open heart surgery to be carried out within the first 2 weeks at the Evelina Hospital, London. 65 miles away from home.

Not only did we have to process that our baby would be very poorly, we have 3 older children Paisley, Minnie and Frank, who were 4, 2 and 2 at the time. We had huge concerns how we would manage the logistics of having our family split up at this incredibly difficult time. Let alone where we would stay, how we would afford it all etc.

Our son, Leon was born at the end of July whilst our older children were being looked after by family at home. As the time approached for me to be discharged from hospital we were incredibly grateful to be offered a room at the Ronald McDonald Evelina house just a short walk from the hospital.

We arrived at the house not really knowing what to expect, and I cannot describe to you the feeling of relief when we saw how amazing it was. We were given a room large enough to sleep us and our children which had an en suite (with an incredible shower btw) we had access to huge communal kitchen facilities, day rooms, play rooms, a garden area, dining room, cinema room(!) and the kindest staff you could ever wish for. Each day there would be food donated from local business (we ate a LOT of Greggs donuts!), volunteers and past families would come in the evening and cook meals, we even had a Nandos!

When Paisley, Minnie and Frank joined us the staff went out of their way to make the stay fun for them. We had gardening club, arts and crafts, games and toys, they were even given football kits. On the night after Leon’s surgery my Mum was able to stay with us too so that Eoin and I could be by Leon’s side in those critical hours.

We were one of the lucky ones and our baby recovered amazingly. Before we left I made a vow that I would NEVER forget how much this charity helped us. Everything would be ok as long as we were all together and Ronald McDonald Charities made that happen.

So! I will be running the 2024 London Marathon to raise funds for this incredible charity so they can help more families like ours through the hardest time of their life. I am no runner so this will NOT be easy. But it will be worth it ❤️

“Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families with children having treatment in hospital.

Our Houses offer much more than just a place to stay; they provide family activities, peer support, respite, and many other services. This means that families can be by their child’s bedside in a matter of moments, whilst maintaining a degree of normal life with reduced emotional and financial strain.

We help over 6,000 families each year and now, more than ever, we need your support. Thank you.”