This is Henry William Charles Morley's (aka Harry's) story - and why I am embarking on another and I hasten to add last marathon!

I have been encouraged to post this story on social media - not a medium, as many of you know that I often use. I have been blown away by the support I have received from family, friends and Industry colleagues, following the sending out of a few emails a week or so ago requesting support, in fact things within a week have gone a little bit nuts tbh. So here goes -

"When my son Harry turned 18, I reflected on his journey and the amazing milestone he had reached, whilst overcoming a number of hurdles - that he has done with humour and often a cheeky smile, at the same time as constantly clutching his two favourite Sonic the Hedgehog characters (and of course his I- Phone), which all travel with him where ever he goes, along with Spencer the Bear given to him by Great Ormond Street hospital many years ago.

Harry's story begins almost 19 years ago at his 20 week scan, I was struck by how silent the nurse was carrying out the procedure, whereas with his elder sister, there was the constant pointing out of limbs, body shapes and general joy in the room, this time it was replaced by silence and concern - so alarm bells inevitably started to ring.?

Being taken into a side room and then told the scan had shown some issues with his development and further investigation was required - was just met with numbness and a certain sense of disbelief. Within 48 hours of this consultation, the amazing wheels of the NHS rapidly turned and we were sitting in the fabulous UCL in front of a leading paediatric heart and lung consultant to be told the scan showed a mal rotated heart, kidneys that looked very small and on top of that Harry's lungs appeared to be full of cysts. The outlook at the time appeared bleak - but the support and care from the hospital team around us was immense. We had decisions to make and agreed to continue with the pregnancy, 4 weeks later the follow up scan showed his heart had corrected itself, the kidneys looked improved and only one of his lungs was a "bit of a mess" (my description - not that of the medical profession). Georgina (his mother) was induced two weeks early surrounded by what seemed like a multitude of medical professionals, that were on hand to deliver Harry safely into this world and deal with any complication that might ensue. Labour lasted almost a day, Roz the midwife was with us for the final push and Harry appeared and decided not to cry, he doesn't do things by half (which was a concern), but was handed back to us 5 minutes later seemingly fit and healthy. To cut a very long story short within 12 weeks he had caught pneumonia and due to his lung issues required an urgent operation, so at three months old the wonderful Great Ormond Street hospital operated on him removing the majority of his right lung and therefore ensured his long term physical health.

You may ask, why aren't Great Ormond street the recipient of this "final marathon" fund raising exploit - well via historic marathons and half marathons they have been, but this last one escapade of mine revolves around Harrys more recent life.

Harry's development was slow and at the age of two it was suspected he had Hydrocephalus (water on the brain), but after an MRI scan this was dismissed, with him then being diagnosed with autism at the age of 5.

Harry has overcome adversity throughout his life and has done so with a smile and humour that has influenced and changed me as an individual and altered my views on many aspects of life, he is unlikely to be independent at any stage, but has thrived with the support of those closest to him, and the pride I have for him is immense as it is for his mother Georgina, his step mother Jo and his very protective sister Ellen.

And it is to?organisations?like the National?Autistic?Society?and those that work within?special?needs?education that I owe a huge debt of gratitude for helping Harry to grow into the young man he is today.

So I am putting my body on the line with my great mate Simon one last time to plod round the streets of Brighton in early April for 26.2 miles to repay these wonderful people in a very small way, I would welcome you support in achieving my fund raising goal of ￡2,500 (for the above charity) (this was my initial request, but as you will see this amount has been far exceeded so ￡4,500 by the time I make the start line would be amazing).?

And finally - I never remember everything hurting after a training run as it does now, after 5 marathons and 30 plus half marathons I thought this would be much easier than it is, but my last marathon was over 12 years ago and age has finally caught up on me, but come the Sunday evening in April I pray Si, Jo and I will be in a Brighton pub somewhere celebrating with tired limbs, sore knees along with an air of satisfaction on our faces, that we have managed to give that little bit back to people who really care!

And who knows, hopefully by the date of the run, Leeds Utd will still be in the FA Cup and safe in the premier league!"

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