I shall shortly be running 100km along the ancient Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road in 'Race to the Stones'; starting in Lewknor, Oxfordshire, and ending at the Stone Circle in Avebury. This is a gargantuan challenge for me and is therefore I believe the right opportunity to raise some money for charities that relate to three wonderful girls I am lucky to call my goddaughters - Audrey, Patti and Mabel.

My dearest friend Bee died of cancer on 23 May 2021 - five years ago this year, aged 38. Bee left a void in the world and all our hearts that can never be filled, but especially for her beautiful daughter. Child Bereavement UK (formerly Winston's Wish) has provided invaluable support to Audrey, and I'm sure does to countless other bereaved children. I shall be running the day before Bee's birthday and I know she will be spurring me on every step of the way with a wry smile on her face for this being such uncharacteristic thing for me to take on. Finnian - Bee's husband and Audrey's father, perfectly explains the vital work that Child Bereavement UK does in the individual page. See Child Bereavement UK below.

Patti's older sister Esther - or Tess to us all - was diagnosed with epileptic encephalopathy at the age of three months. This brave and determined girl is non-verbal and unable to walk or crawl, has little sight and little external awareness. She suffers over 20 seizures each day yet seems to manage with such grace. Her parents have set up a charity through Tree of Hope to fund expenditure for the therapies, medicines, supplements and specialist equipment that Tess so vitally needs. See Tree of Hope below.

Mabel underwent vital heart surgery at two years old at the Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, and thank goodness is happy, healthy and thriving now. She and her parents were brilliantly looked after by a wonderful team of Nurses, Doctors and Surgeons through intensive care, critical care and on the Cardiac Ward. See Evelina London below.

I am not, it must be said, a natural runner - in fact this is undoubtedly one of the most absurdly ambitious (and many would say foolhardy!) challenges I could have chosen and will take me a very long time indeed, hopefully demonstrating my determination to raise some money for these vital charities. I would be hugely grateful for any donation you feel able to make. I know the requests are frequent so really any small amount would be wonderful. 

All three causes are so important and whilst unfortunately, I cannot split funds automatically, I have been able to set up 3 separate pages below - click on 'Cornelia Grant' for the relevant charity and you'll be taken to a separate page with more info and a 'Give now' button. I'm afraid it's a bit more complicated with 3 charities; please let me know if you have any questions.