Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page.

I'm running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for Marches Family Network, a small, local charity doing extraordinary work for children with life limiting disabilities or medical conditions and the families who care for them.

My five year old nephew, Artie, is lucky enough to benefit from the care of Marches, so I’ve seen first-hand the joy and support they bring into children’s lives and the difference they make for families.

Based in Herefordshire, Marches Family Network provides practical help, guidance, short breaks, youth clubs, play schemes and one-to-one support not only for the children they care for, but for the families too. The vital work they do recognises that when a child has complex needs, that extends to the whole family.

For many of the parents Marches work with, life can be challenging. Caring for a child with complex needs is a joy, but it can also be isolating, exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. Marches Family Network creates safe spaces where children can be children and where parents can take a breath, feel a sense of normality and build friendships with other parents who understand without needing an explanation.

The fantastic thing about supporting such a small charity is that every donation, no matter how small, really makes a difference. As little as £20 can provide an hour of 1:1 support for a family, £50 can provide a session to allow parent/carers to come together with a drink and a safe, friendly space to share their experiences, struggles and triumphs, or a few pounds could put some petrol in the minibus to take a group of kids for a day out.