Please support me for one of my biggest challenges yet!! The furthest I have ever run is a half marathon which was in 2015!!

Nearly 4 years ago, our very active, sporty 8-year-old son Henry got diagnosed with Perthes Disease. A rare childhood hip disorder occurring when the blood supply to the ball of the hip joint (femoral head) is temporarily disrupted, causing bone tissue to die and fracture.

Initially it took us time to get our heads around the impact Henry’s condition was going to have on him both physically and mentally, as well as the impact on the family. Telling an 8-year-old boy who lives for his sports and being constantly active that he cannot run, jump or do impact sports was heart breaking and turned our lives upside down! It meant stepping away from the activities he loved and facing a future with uncertainty, hospital visits, pain management and major surgery.

Henry has shown extraordinary strength, courage and resilience never giving up on his goals and ambitions to get back to the sports he loves and his active life. Henry is an absolute inspiration and when my training feels daunting and I cannot imagine how I’m going to run a marathon I keep telling myself if Henry can go through everything he has been through, I can do this!!

Football is one of Henry’s passions and rather than retreating from the world he loved, he has embraced new ways to stay connected. His football club and coaches have been amazing and offered Henry the opportunity to stay connected to the club, his teammates and grassroots football by becoming an “unofficial” coach. His ability to adapt his passions and continue contributing to his community has been inspirational.

We are all so proud of Henry and running the London Marathon for Steps Charity, hopefully taking on some of Henry’s determination and resilience, is a great opportunity to help increase awareness and show to anyone affected by childhood lower limb conditions that there is still lots of things you can do to lead a normal life and sometimes new exciting opportunities can come your way. Here are a few of Henry’s achievements over the last few years.

• Interviewed by Derbyshire FA for his resilience and commitment to Grassroots football - click here for interview which then led to …..

• Interview with BBC Radio Derby about his football coaching, the impact of Perthes Disease and how he is dealing with it.

• Nominated for a local “Young Heroes Award” by his Primary School Head teacher and taking a quote from her nomination,

“Henry’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. He has faced extreme personal difficulties with grace and fortitude, and in doing so, he has brought joy, hope and inspiration to his school and wider community.

He is without doubt, a true hero”.

• When Henry finally made his return to playing football matches at the end of last year after medical clearance in an emotional moment for everyone involved, he was given a guard of honour.

Steps Charity’s slogan is so true for our family – “We don’t take walking for granted”!

Please wish me luck on this journey - any donation, big or small, would be truly appreciated.