This October, I’ll be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon while hula hooping the entire way—yes, running and hula hooping—for Dravet Syndrome UK, a cause incredibly close to my heart. My amazing nephew, Dom Dom, lives with this rare and severe form of epilepsy, and I’m taking on this challenge to raise awareness and funds in his honour.

To make it even more crazy, I’m attempting to break a world record by completing the full 13.1 miles without letting the hoop drop in less than 3hrs! I’ll be supported every step of the way by three incredible friends Philippa Middleton, Hannah Mackie and Sarah Painter, who will be helping me stay on course and keep that hoop spinning. Every donation makes a real difference—thank you so much for your support!

WHY? 

For those of you who don’t already know, my amazing 7 year old nephew and godson, Dominic, lives with Dravet Syndrome - a rare, catastrophic, lifelong, neurological condition that manifests as a chronic form of epilepsy that begins in the first year of life with frequent and/or prolonged seizures. Constant watch and care is required as seizures must be acted on quickly, and the quality of life for the person with Dravet as well as the family is severely impacted. Most people with Dravet Syndrome remain dependent on caregivers for life and 15-20% of children diagnosed don't make adulthood. Issues associated with Dravet syndrome include:

- Prolonged/frequent seizures

- a 15-20% mortality rate due to SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)

- Behavioral and developmental delays

- Movement and balance issues- Orthopedic conditions

- Delayed language and speech issues

- Growth and nutrition issues

- Sleeping difficulties

- Chronic infections

- Sensory integration disorders

- Dysautonomia, or disruptions of the autonomic nervous system which can lead to difficulty regulating body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and other issues

Click here for the charity website - https://www.dravet.org.uk or here for an overview of the charity https://www.dravet.org.uk/about-us/