Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. For those that have a short attention span I'm running the 10k as I want to give something back to the CHA  and the staff at the RMCH and I'm hoping my family, friends, work colleague's and other generous members of the public will get behind me and support a very worthy cause.

“You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle.”

On September 14th 2015 at around 8.20pm we welcomed Georgie into our lives after one heck of a bumpy ride.

Early on In the pregnancy we discovered some potentially life changing news and from then on we were in the hands of the professionals and the caring staff at the RMCH. Appointment after appointment, scan after scan. What was suppose to be an enjoyable time and preparing for the future was tainted with the unspeakable and the what if's.         Before we were told that Georgie had a heart defect, I was ignorant and totally unaware of what if things don't go to plan. I remember sitting waiting for a scan, in a room full of people from all walks of life. It was mostly a happy and excited environment. We sat and watched as one guy came out, arms in the air as he had just been told he was expecting his first boy. His excitement clearly getting the better of him. We also witnessed a very upset lady who left with her partner and speculated that they had been given bad news of some sort.  Little did we know at this point that we also would be leaving with news that neither of us expected.

During the scan the sonographer told us that she would need to get her colleague to have a look at something and could we just sit in this room whilst they discussed something. Nervous we sat together and Becca was sure that this was the "bad news" room, however I was sure it wouldn't be. Time stopped for the next 10 minutes as what we were being told never really/still doesn't sink in. We were told Georgie had an AVSD... Before that day I had no idea what these four letters meant, represented or the challenges it would bring. I know what your thinking........What's an AVSD, put simply its a missing wall in the heart chambers which allows oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood to flow wherever it wants and has no end of other complex outcomes. The way to solve this problem......Open Heart Surgery!!!                        From that moment on our lives were turned upside down. Living in fear of the worst and the unknown. Each appointment of which there were many we were dealt with firstly by a specialist or a sonographer and then sat down by a nurse who made sure we were ok and understood what we had been told and what to expect. After becoming an expert on the heart and all surrounding the subject after reading all the books, handouts and leaflets, we would relay the information back to family and close friends and try to reassure them that everything would be ok. After all we've never done anything the easy way!!

Fast forward to the birth, and a room full of midwifes, doctors and specialists for Georgie. She was whisked away instantly as we all waited/prayed for the first cry. Minutes later we were able to welcome her to the world, a quick cuddle with Mum & Dad before being take the the Neo Natel unit for monitoring. Again a fantastic place, where I hope none of you have to ever visit, but if you do rest assure they are brilliant people!!!

We now attend the RMCH and the heart unit on a regular basis as we await a date for Georgie's Open Heart Surgery. A tough and challenging time as we try to enjoy the early stages whilst knowing that a rocky road awaits us.  

Every time we have attended we are always very well looked after, The nurses are always friendly, always smiling and always full of considerate and reassuring words. We were pointed in the direction of the CHA which we access via the website and on Facebook. A place where any question or concern is promptly answered by others who have experienced or are experiencing similar or in some cases worse situations than ourselves.

Above doesn't cover the whole story, but hopefully gives an understanding that so far all the doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers and facilities have been outstanding. 

Georgie is currently doing really well, and is very brave. We are preparing for Surgery in or around September this year.

For those of you that know me the only "Fast" I know is Fast food and I hate any form of fitness/running (Ask any of the rugby coaches)       Your support is very much appreciated and the money will be put to a very worthwhile project that will make anybody who has or is going through this a little bit more tolerable

Many Thanks

Big Ste