I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting to say thank you to Haven House. I know that nobody expects gratitude, but that just makes me feel even more grateful. Grateful for all the love and care they have shown Kristian and our family since we started using Haven House over six years ago.

Kristian has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy where seizures can be non-stop. He requires round-the-clock care and has no concept of safety. His only way of communicating is to cry, laugh or smile. 

When Kristian is at Haven House for respite care he has the freedom to play and be himself in a safe and caring environment. It also gives me more time to focus on the needs of my youngest daughter, Abigail. 

At the start of 2018 I was thinking about what I could do as a new challenge. I knew I had to do something special in Haven House’s 15th birthday year. I was looking on the website for inspiration and there it was, Ben Nevis. As soon as I saw it, I picked up my phone and booked my place. There was no turning back.

Things got even more exciting when my friend Lisa said that she wanted to climb with me. She too wanted to say thank you for all the support she has seen Haven House give to me and Kristian.

I enjoy walking which is a huge bonus, but I know climbing a mountain and back again will not be a breeze. I started some gentle training and then made the mistake of running for a bus and tearing my calf muscle which really hurt.

I was worried about my fitness levels and I thought to myself, ‘If I could do this running across the road, could I really climb the highest mountain in the UK?’ Yet Haven House has given me great encouragement and the answer is I WILL! Every step I take will be for all the wonderful staff at Haven House who work so hard for all the inspirational families and of course for my baby, Kristian.

Why not join our #Team15 and take on a challenge event for Haven House?