Grawling SAS Hike Challenge, HELP James Leukaemia Journey

On sat August the 3rd I will be attempting the PEN Y FAN SAS training route . This is a 15mile run / hike up steep inclines and rough terrain that needs to be completed in 4 hrs 10 mins . I will be doing this with @rossbossminter and a few others boys from the gym and at the same time trying to carry on raising money for my family friends the Brindleys godson baby James who has had a tough start to life . Please if you could find any spare change to donate to my new link would be much appreciated

Many thanks James please read James story below.

On Christmas Eve 2020 James Gillespie, who had just turned 1, was rushed to hospital following a period of illness and unresolved infections. It was discovered that James had a very rare form of Leukaemia (MPAL) requiring immediate surgery and intense chemotherapy and 3-4 years of ongoing treatment.

Following surgery on Christmas Day and intense Chemotherapy on Boxing Day, James suffered a major stroke, requiring more long term care and treatment.

James remained in Addenbrookes hospital, whilst his parents travel back and forth from Norfolk to juggle being with James and their other 5 children. James is the youngest of 6 children.

Anne-Marie James Mum became James' full time carer.

After 6 rounds of intensive Chemotherapy it was discovered that the Leukaemia was getting worse and his only option was to have a bone marrow transplant but it would have to be a 100% match and that was going to be pretty much impossible in such a short space of time to find a donor, luckily after lots of testing Faith James older sister was a 100% match and had major surgery taking 2 litres of bone marrow from her back.

James was then transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital to receive the transplant in April 2021 he remained there until July 2021 and then returned under the care of Addenbrooks Hospital the transplant was successful and he continued to have bloods every week and check ups for 2 years during this time it was discovered that James had slight paralysis on his right side from the stroke and was also diagnosed partially sighted he will need ongoing Neurology appointments and MRIs to monitor the damage done, in August 2022 after his immunisations James fell unwell and we were told he had another stroke (TIA) which set him back alot.

Sadly on 30th September 2023 James suddenly relapsed he was so poorly he ended up on life Support in Addenbrooks until November 2023 his future wasn't looking good and doctors told the family to expect the worse as all of James organs had failed and he had sepsis and another infection which they feared had spread to his brain, Doctors and Consultants felt they had exhausted all options buy lucky enough a Professor from Manchester Children’s Hospital heard James story and wanted to enrol him on his Stem Cell with Grans trial for relapsed and advanced cancers immediatley, this is when they take stem cells from a new born babies cord and implant it into the patient, we agreed as James had no options left so in January 2024 James was admitted to Manchester Children’s Hospital and had the transplant initially James was very poorly but after a few months in Manchester Hospital James was sent back home to Norfolk James will continue to have weekly blood tests and monthly biopsies to monitor him, James is truly a very special boy a warrior no child should have to go through Cancer and the intense treatments and Chemotherapy that James has had to endure since a baby but with everyone's support, prayers and kindness we have been able to stay by James side every step of the way thank you to everyone.