This April, I’ll be running the Manchester Marathon to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool — a place that will always hold a special place in my heart.

When I was just six years old, my life changed forever after being involved in a serious road traffic accident. I was taken to Alder Hey with life-threatening injuries, and it was there that the nurses, doctors and healthcare staff fought tirelessly to save my life. Their skill, compassion and determination gave me the strength to survive and overcome challenges that many believed were impossible.

Alder Hey didn’t just care for me in those first moments — I remained a patient there for the next ten years. During that time, the hospital became a second home. My family lived on the wards with me, day in and day out, supported not only medically but emotionally by staff who went above and beyond to care for us all. The kindness, reassurance and dedication shown to my family during some of our darkest moments is something I will never forget.

There is no way to truly repay what Alder Hey gave to me and my loved ones, but by running this marathon and raising funds, I hope to give something back — and help another child and family facing their own fight.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a real and meaningful difference to the lives of children and families at Alder Hey. Thank you so much for your support.