On 22nd June, we (Kate, Gee and Bex) will be taking on the Epona100 ultra marathon where we will be running 100 miles around the “hills” of Abergavenny (if the distance wasn’t enough of a challenge we’re also throwing in 23 peaks and 17,000ft of elevation!) to help raise vital funds for The Grand Appeal - the official charity of Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Why?

Most of you will know that in October 2022, at just 9 days old, our littlest nephew Laurie was rushed to intensive care in Bristol Children's Hospital where he was found to have end stage heart failure. Laurie stayed in Bristol ICU until it became clear that medical therapy was no longer working and he needed a heart transplant. In March 2023 he was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where he was fitted with a device called a Berlin Heart to buy him time until a heart transplant became available.

During his time in Bristol the teams there were phenomenal in looking after him and supporting our brother and his family (Tom, Holly and Osh) - who moved up to Bristol to be with Laurie. All the teams were brilliant but we’d like to highlight the fantastic WATCh team who were responsible for transferring Laurie between hospitals. They are real life superheroes.

It is quite simply a fact that without the fantastic team in Bristol the outcome for Laurie could’ve been very different.

We as a family will forever be grateful for their support and hope this goes just a tiny way towards expressing our gratitude to them.

Further information on what your donation will support:

The Wales and West Acute Transport for Children (WATCh) service provides transport – by air or land – for some of the sickest children in the South West and South Wales.

With children’s intensive care only provided in a few hospitals, this mobile team ensures young patients get the treatment they urgently need.