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You are probably somewhat surprised that we are running the London marathon - not the obvious choice of candidates to run 26.2 miles! There have been many moments during training - in the wind, sun, rain and snow  when feet and knees are aching - when we have had to remind ourselves what it is all for.

This is part of a huge fundraising effort we are involved in to raise £1million for the amazing Great Ormond Street Hospital’s FACE VALUE campaign (GOSH). We were first introduced to GOSH by a very special little boy, Oscar Bearman – his parents, Christian and Nicola, are close friends and his two younger brothers, William and Felix, are our Godchildren. Please would you be kind enough to take a minute to read a little about Oscar and why we have set ourselves this challenge……………

Oscar was born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare genetic craniofacial condition that causes the bones of the skull and face to fuse prematurely. He is now 6 years old and a cracking little boy but he has been through 8 operations already to relieve the pressure on his brain and eyes and to improve his breathing. When he is around 10 years old he will need another major operation at GOSH to help reshape his skull – by pulling out the brow and cheek bones – so that his brain can keep growing. The operation involves dangerous surgery and lasts for 8-10 hours. Following surgery, a semi-circular ‘halo’ called a RED frame – a type of ‘distractor’ - is fitted to the child’s head. The frame (much like a metal cage) is attached to the skull with metal pins and, over a period of around three months, the frame is gradually adjusted to help move forward the separated bones.

Oscar’s parents and grandparents, Sir John and Heather Beckwith, have established a new fundraising campaign called FACE VALUE in an effort to raise £1million to provide research to improve the surgical techniques above. Why do we need your help? Owase Jeelani and David Dunaway are renowned craniofacial surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital. They know they can do more for children like Oscar and avoid using the ‘distractor’ technique, but further leaps forward are only possible with investment in research and the development of specialized surgical techniques to make these new methods possible. Please could we ask you to consider sponsoring us for the Marathon – every penny raised will go directly to FACE VALUE and will give GOSH a real opportunity to have a direct impact on Oscar’s future and the future of thousands of children world-wide who are born with craniofacial conditions.

We have dedicated much time and more energy than we thought possible to training. We really need your support.

For more information about FACE VALUE, please visit http://www.gosh.org/mgf/events-and-appeals/appeals/bringing-research-to-life/new-research/craniofacial/

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and suport us!

Many thanks

Simon and Amanda