Two Marathons in Two Weeks for Determined Dad

Gary Norcott, 31 from Burnham, Buckinghamshire, will be running 52.4miles this month in a bid to raise as much money as possible for The Sick Children’s Trust and East Berkshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group after both charities have gone the extra mile for his family.

Born in March last year, Orla was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 meaning she had three copies of the 21^st chromosome instead of two. As with many children with Down’s Syndrome, Orla was also born with a heart problem and at just 11-weeks she was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital for life-saving surgery.

Orla required two weeks’ post-surgery recovery, and during this time Gary and his wife, Leiah, stayed at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Rainbow House. Rainbow House, located at GOSH, provided the couple with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation which meant they could always be by Orla’s side. Gary, who is doing the Brighton Marathon and the London Marathon, says:

“Orla remained in the hospital for two weeks post-surgery and without the support of The Sick Children’s Trust I don’t know how we would have managed travelling to and from London every day and night.

“The Sick Children’s Trust is a charity that offers a ‘Home from Home’, as well as emotional and practical support, to families whilst their children are staying in hospital with a serious illness. Having access to accommodation close to the hospital was vital for us. It meant that both of us could be there for Orla and we had the option of a well-needed rest whilst knowing we were still close by.

“It also meant that our older daughter could visit and have somewhere homely to stay. Furthermore, it gave us the opportunity to meet other families who, like us, were going through similar situations, which helped us to realise we weren’t alone.”

Half of the fundraising from Gary’s marathon challenges will be going to The Sick Children’s Trust and the other half will be going towards Chatterbox a service provided locally by the East Berkshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group – a charity that runs speech and language therapy sessions for children with the condition.

Sandra Williams, Rainbow House Manager says: “We wish Gary all the best in his marathons, he is a very brave man taking two on in such a short space of time, but we know he’ll do a fantastic job – good luck!”

Gary’s first Marathon takes place on April 12 in Brighton, followed by the Virgin Money London Marathon on April 26. The Sick Children’s Trust supports around 3,500 families a year across their 10 ‘Home from Homes’ and Gary’s fundraising will go directly towards helping these families.

If you would like to support Gary, please visit https://www.sponsorme.co.uk/garynorcott/twomarathonsintwoweeks2015.aspx