My name is Bethan, I am 7 years old. Daddy and his friends are doing a bike ride for two charities that helped me when I was poorly, then Real Auntie Lizzi and Richard Hughes are running the St Albans half-marathon the following day, please read my story below.....

Please split your donation between my two pages - see link below to THE SICK CHILDREN'S TRUST page - Thank you.

www.justgiving.com/bethansbikeridethesickchildrenstrust

 

In June 2010 I was transferred from Bedford Hospital to Addenbrookes by ambulance for life saving mastoidectomy surgery. A simple ear infection had spread into my skull, surgeons had to operate to remove the infection and part of my skull that had become infected.I was also told that I had suffered a rare stroke which caused temporary facial paralysis, papiloedema and hydrocephalus. I initially stayed in hospital for seven weeks. Mummy and Daddy stayed in Acorn House, on-site home from home accomodation provided by The Sick Children's Trust whilst I was in Intensive Care. This mean't that they could always be nearby and come to me quickly in the night if I needed them and one night I did!

 

I have since had many more weeks in hospital this year, regular blood tests due to being on warfarin (which thankfully I nolonger need) and another 18 trips to theatre, mainly due to the high pressure in my skull which is contolled by a shunt. During this time I had been having really bad headaches everyday, but they are getting better now that I am getting used to my new shunt. Starlight Children's Foundation have helped me to smile lots and lots, which is great for my family as I couldn't because of the stroke when I was really poorly. They have given me something to look forward to, its distracted me through being in hospital and daily pain. I played on the Fun Centre on the ward, we went on an Escape Day to Olympia Horse Show in December and they are granting me my wish-of-a-lifetime this Summer to ride a horse on holiday in Spain, now that I am able to horse ride again.

 

Mummy and Daddy were talking to friends on New Years Eve about ways to raise money for charity (and an incentive to get fit!) So Daddy (Simon Spavins), Uncle Keith Garwood, and Uncle Andrew Weeks are going to be joined by Real Uncle Paul, Giles Witheat, Danny Phillips, Gareth Farbon, David Farbon, Alexa Farbon, Andrew Hill, Phil Donbavand, Richard Redman, Toby Steele, Mick Pinsent, John Lasbery, Phil Lane, Paul Smedley, Dan Tyler, Jason Giller, Loren Robey, Mick Hopes, Mark Barter, Clive Stallwood, Gary Hobart, Richard Burt, Oliver Burt and John Locke who will be doing the whole ride and Real Uncle Gethin, Stephen Jepp, Mark Johnson, Gareth Morris, Rob Bresler, Graeme Brighton, Iain Bremner, Richard McLeod, Brian Russell, Ann Russell, Chris Parks, Ruth Parks, David Williams and Bruce McTavish who are doing the 'and back'!

 

You are welcome to join our celebrations at a Family Day BBQ/stalls at the finish line - Ampthill Rubgy Club from 2pm in the afternoon and a band in the evening!

 

The following day on Sunday 12th June 2011 Real Auntie Lizzi Jones and Big R (Richard Hughes) are running the St Albans half-marathon. Auntie Lizzie said they'd like to help and asked me which charity they should run for, I said STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION. Thank you for running for this special charity, I can't wait to cheer you on!!

 

Good luck to them all!!

 

Thank you for helping us support both these charities who helped me!!

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