Update: I'll be posting updates on my GiveWheel page here if you would like to keep up to date - https://www.givewheel.com/profile/KieranGallagher/public/

Hello all!

Starting this Sunday (11th), Mike and I will be embarking on 3 half marathons in 3 months to raise money for both Epilepsy Research UK and Noah's Ark Charity. The 3 half marathons will be the Richmond RUNFEST (11/09), Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon (02/10) and the Endurance Life Gower Half Marathon (05/11), with the latter involving 2k ft of ascents (Mike’s idea).

We will be splitting the funds raised between both Epilepsy Research UK and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital.

In relation to Epilepsy Research UK: On Boxing Day last year, we unexpectedly lost our beautiful sister Nicola. Nicola had lived with Epilepsy her whole life. Only close family and friends knew of this, as Nicola never wanted to be treated differently and for it to get in the way of her work and life. You would have never known Nicola was living with this, as she lived life to the full and was the ultimate professional, with her job as a pharmacist demanding 100% focus in body and mind.

When they occur, seizures are debilitating and can have long lasting effects. They can be triggered by a plethora of reasons and it is a fine balancing act to live alongside the disease. If there's one thing we would want to take from this, it would be to raise everyone's awareness of epilepsy and do what we can to aid in the research of this disease.

Tomas, Michael’s son was born in July. He was admitted to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital at 3 weeks old. 15% down on birth weight and not acting like a baby boy should. The nurses and doctors were amazing in bringing Tomas back up to strength whilst diagnosing and putting Michael and Elin in the picture, giving all the information needed each step of the way. The care and professionalism in the hospital is world class. Tomas will need ongoing treatment and visits to the hospital but due to the support he receives, he will live a normal life.

The hospital gives that same superb care to 1000s of children every year.

We realise that everyone’s purse strings are being tightened at the moment, but any donation would be hugely appreciated. If we hit our target, we will both jump in the sea at Oxwich (the finishing point for the Gower Half) once we have finished the race!!

Further information on the races and each of the charities below. You can track our progress on Strava.

https://www.run-fest.com/events/richmond-half-marathon/
https://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/
https://www.endurancelife.com/gower

https://epilepsyresearch.org.uk/about-epilepsy/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy-PYg-P_-QIVrIBQBh0erQwrEAAYAiAAEgLDbvD_BwE
https://noahsarkcharity.org/

https://www.strava.com/athletes/11900310
https://www.strava.com/athletes/49449291