Last year, two good friends of ours, Jude & Gareth Hanson's youngest son, Sam, was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of 4. The news was devastating for everyone but Sam has been brave and over the last year has battled through to remission, however still faces at least another 2 years of daily drugs until he is given the all clear. During this time a number of charities have helped Jude, Gareth, Rhys and Sam come to terms with Sam's illness and to cope through what has been a very difficult 2016.

One of those charities, Spread A Smile, organised a special trip out for them to the West End to see the Lion King which Sam absolutely loved and put a smile on the whole family's faces at what was a very difficult time. They also send various people, like magicians, fairies and poets, into the hospitals and Sam was lucky enough to be visited on a couple of occasions by a magician which he thought was amazing!

So I am running the Great North Run this year in an attempt to raise money for Spread A Smile to help similar families to Jude and Gareth's come to terms with their own children's illnesses, put a smile on their faces and give them memories that they will always cherish.

You can find out more about Spread A Smile here: www.spreadasmile.org

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