For those that don’t already know, here is our story…

Our daughter Penny (age 7) has a life limiting condition called Cystic Fibrosis. She was diagnosed in October 2021 (age 2 at the time), and our whole worlds were turned upside down. She had been suffering from birth with various issues like not growing properly or gaining weight, awful coughing fits, breathing difficulties, being sick, and not to mention her extreme poo’s (hence her well-known nickname of Penny Poopy Pants!). So whilst we were relieved to finally have a diagnosis, we weren’t quite prepared for the diagnosis of CF.

CF is a genetic condition which affects the lungs and digestive system due to thick sticky mucus. Over time these organs become damaged, and eventually they can stop working altogether. Everyone is different, but in Penny’s case, she is also Pancreatic Insufficient (can’t digest food properly) and has liver problems too. There is no cure.

Penny’s daily life is a lot busier than your average 7 year old - she takes at least 6-7 medicines several times a day, she does physio therapy with nebulised medicines twice a day, she has to stay as active as possible all the time, and she visits her team at the hospital every couple of months (at least).

Without the love and support from our friends and family, without the help of her amazing team at the hospital, and without a charity like the CF Trust constantly researching and campaigning for all the magic medicines… I don’t know where we’d be today. Our future would feel hopeless.

But instead we are now almost 5 years in to CF life and we are SMASHING IT. Don’t get me wrong - me & James still have our moments privately where we share our fear and thoughts of the future (it’s only normal)…. But Penny is incredible. She’s fearless, she’s happy, she’s sassy, she’s strong-willed, she’s loving and she’s thankful. You’d never know what she goes through day-to-day.

So now here we are, after raising over £2000 a few years ago at her Big Yellow Fun Day, and raising over £3500 doing the Big Yellow Mountain Climb (I’m still so amazed by these figures!! Thank you!!)… we are back on the rob again haha. And this one is going to be bigger and better and crazier than ever!! …

***THE BIG YELLOW SIDECAR RACE***

I thought climbing a mountain was ambitious for an unfit wimp like me… but somehow I’ve managed to be roped into racing as a sidecar passenger! Eeeeek!

My bestest craziest friend Michael (Jack) Russell is a legendary motorbike and sidecar racer (shout out Ru55ell Road Racing). He approached me with the idea that during the 2027 race season he will race in YELLOW, and I will join him as the sidecar passenger for one race! I need to get a race license, leathers, helmet, boots, and some bloody courage!

Here’s what to look out for next;

- The Ru55ell Road Racing team will be bringing out some limited edition merch to coincide with the challenge. And they’re also donating some of their profits to this link too, to help us raise as much money and awareness as possible.

- We will be having a mini FUNdraiser around Yellow Day (mid June). Details coming soon on that.

- And lastly the race date is yet to be determined, but we are thinking maybe September time. Would love to have as many people as we can to support on the day.

So for now, please share this far and wide. And please spare a PENNY or two (get it?? Haha)… (only if you can) for this amazing charity, and help us fight for a life unlimited for our gorgeous wee girl. It would mean the world to us.

Lots of love xxx