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On Sunday 2nd October 2016 I will be running the Basingstoke Half Marathon to raise money for Microtia UK. My wonderful daughter Frieda was born in January 2016 with a condition known as Microtia affecting her right ear. Microtia is a rare congenital condition affecting approximately 1 in 6000 babies which results in under developed or missing ears. It can occur in one or both sides.

Most children with Microtia will have some degree of hearing loss on the affected side. This is because the middle ear, which contains the eardrum and tiny ear bones, is affected as well as the outer ear. In some children, the ear canal is blocked or absent, so sound waves cannot pass through the ear in the normal way. 

Frieda is only 7 months old but is likely to require ongoing support and care from specialist health and educational professionals such as Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons, Audiologists and teachers with expertise in Hearing Impairment. Microtia UK is a fantastic charity which has already offered us so much support. The funds that this wonderful charity receive will help towards the following aims of the charity:

- Developing research in the field of Microtia
(Examples include: stem cell research, regenerative medicine, psychological, spatial hearing, the impact of BAHAs.)
- Community Development
(Examples include: venue hire for events, refreshments, travel, entertainment at events for children.)
- Education and Publications
(Examples include: developing leaflets for medical professionals about 'what to do when a baby is born with Microtia'; publish a Transition to School booklet, develop website.)

Please donate whatever you can to this fantastic charity that is a massive support for people born with Microtia and their families. 

Frieda is progressing well and is a very happy little girl who gives us so much pleasure. With the right support she should go on to lead a very happy and fulfilled life.