I am running The London Marathon.  I am running The London Marathon.  If I say it enough times I might start believing it!!!

Yes I am running in this years London Marathon.  As well as (hopefully) fullfilling a major personnal challenge, I am running to raise money for The Spring Centre and in memory of my daughter, Stacey.

Stacey was born in 1990 and, although she seemed ok at first, at two and a half months old she spent nearly a month in hospital with pneumonia, from which she was diagnosed with a syndrom called Eisenmenger's, a syndrom which effected the development of her lungs, and a Ventricular Septal Heart Defect.  Eisenmenger's is a life limiting syndrom and we were told that the average life expectancy would be 35 years.

As Stacey's first year progressed, we realised that she wasnt reaching the normal develpmental milestones and she also start suffering with fits.   'Normal' milestones like sitting, feeding, talking and walking did not happen for Stacey but she always had a smile on her face, and she had the most beautiful smile.  She was later diagnosed with a second syndrome called Angelman.

One of the organisations that helped us during this time was The Spring Centre.  At that time the charity were based in a small building in the grounds of Gloucester Royal Hospital and supported pre-school children with all sorts of difficulties, and their families.  They are now in a specially adapted larger building in Quedgeley and are able to support families of children up to 16 years old.

When you have a disabled child, nobody but the parents of other disabled children can truly understand what emotions you go through as a parent.  The support given to me (and Stacey's Aunty Lyn who looked after her when I worked twice a week) was invaluable.  This is my chance to give something back to them.

The Spring Centre had adopted a poem entitled 'Heaven's Special Child', a beautiful poem which Stacey's Aunty Julia very bravely read out at her funeral.  We lost Stacey just before her fourth birthday and although I will always miss her, she will always be my heaven's special child.

Thank you for reading my story and the reason for me undertaking this bucket list challenge of mine.  And even better if you are able to donate to this fantastic charity.  Please give whatever you can as every £1 counts :-)

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