So… for the past 3.5 years, I’ve lived a bit of a double life…

My son was born with a rare disease about 3.5 years ago which affects a lot of his daily life, and needs a lot of careful management from my wife and I. I won’t say too much as a) I will struggle to write about it frankly and b) there is a therapist out there with 10 years’ worth of trail income from me! (that’s a sad planner joke!).

What I do want to talk about however is the constant daily struggles that lots of people have, that are ‘unseen’ but that I see an awful lot of. From the nurses in the A&E wards working over 12 hour shifts who we now know some by name and have even gotten to know them a little, to the nurses at Watford General Hospital having to buy some of their own equipment due to not having the resources available, to the simply incredible team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who despite what they see day in, day out, are just the most welcoming team whenever you see them, and always lift your spirits. The people that are often overlooked are the families behind all of this, and what these parents and carers are doing for their children, (much more than my family) and also the siblings – as they see everything from the sidelines whilst trying (and needing!) to be a child themselves. Finally, a cause close to my heart as a trustee and board member – charities like Playskill, who work in Hertfordshire supporting children with disabilities and physical delays with free physiotherapy, speech and language and specialist training. My son has now been to GOSH over 50 times and is there every 2 weeks, he is at Watford General Hospital every few months and has used Playskill a lot so all 3 are very close to my heart.

For a long time, and since my Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in memory of my twin girls a few years ago, I have wanted to do something to raise awareness and much needed funds. So…. in my infinite wisdom, I signed up for an Ultra Marathon. Now as a well-established planner of many years, one would think that I have planned this to perfection. That was the ‘plan’, but just like life itself, things didn’t go to plan. However, I’m doing it anyway, as I figured that there are tons of families who would tell me stories about how things didn’t go to plan for them and so this is going to be my way of showing the same level of determination and grit that they show on a regular basis.

It is going to be 47 miles, or 75km, all in one go. When I tried out my new running watch, I only realised once I’d started that it was in miles, not km so my first ‘10k run’ was actually 9.7km, but we will gloss over that. I haven’t ran a half marathon, or a marathon but if you’ve got any tips for an ultra, I’ll take them!

The important bit! Crucially, I am going to be running to raise money for 3 main charities mentioned above: Watford Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Playskill and I’m hoping that if you read this far, you will be digging deep! They all do such amazing work and your money would really make a world of difference to the kids.

PS. This is in 10 days time - get the big purses/wallets out!

Thanks very much!

Vim (and my family!) Despite him not looking much like me, pic is of my beautiful baby boy!