Having started to run during the first lockdown, the obvious next step was to enter myself for the London Marathon! Even though my chances were slim – odds I was frankly relying on – nobody was more surprised than me when I found out I was one of the successful applicants.
Once I had got over the shock, I needed to choose which charity to fundraise for and I kept thinking about Taylor Mitchell. We played football together throughout primary school and I remember him being as happy, healthy and mischievous as any young child.
But in 2008, everything changed. Taylor was diagnosed with an incurable illness, which he courageously battled for three years before his parents were given the devastating news that his prognosis was terminal.
Having watched the film Bucket List with his mother, Suzi, Taylor began his own list of things he wanted to do, people he wanted to meet and places he wanted to go. Family and friends began fundraising to help make Taylor’s dreams come true, and it was during this time that Suzi decided she would one day set up a charity to do the same for other children with life-limiting illnesses. In 2014, Taylor Made Dreams became a registered charity.
This amazing charity helps children create their own ‘Taylor Made’ bucket list and ensures both the children, and their families get to spend quality time and experiences together with the help of both financial and emotional support.
If you would like to read more about Taylor’s story and sponsor me, please visit my Virgin Money Giving page.
You can also listen to my appearance on Charitable Radio’s Morning Motivation programme below.