Ally Howell

I’m running 100km in February for GOSH Charity! 

I’m challenging myself to run 100km this February to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity).

My daughter was born in 2024 with a serious congenital heart defect. The first week of her life, when we found out about the condition, we were put in touch with GOSH who looked after us and our daughter with the greatest care and held us through the most difficult and transformative period of our lives. We had weekly calls and monitoring, advice and support, and advocacy when we needed urgent medical attention, in the lead up to her open heart surgery, which took place in March 2025. The support from the hospital was incredible and I will never forget it.

In the lead up to the first anniversary of Rose’s heart surgery, I’ve decided to take on a challenge and raise some funds to thank GOSH for saving our girl’s life and equipping us to manage such a tough time. The Charity arm of the hospital enabled us to stay a few doors down from the hospital while she was in intensive care after surgery and we couldn’t stay with her. They gave us access to food vouchers when we were there on site and provided mental health support following one of the most monumental things we’ve ever experienced. They do this for so many children and families every day, and as someone who has lived through it, I know how important this sort of support is for those whose loved ones are sick.

I (really) don’t love running, but with every kilometre I run, and every pound raised, we’ll be helping people like us manage such a massively life changing experience just that little bit more. 

Please help me to achieve my goal by giving whatever you can; no amount is too small to make a difference to families like ours.

Thank you so much.