Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity

Running for Digby

Dig Deep for Digby

Dig Deep for Digby

My Story

Hi, I’m Christian.

In April 2026, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon — all 26.2 miles of it — to raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, an incredible organisation that supports so many children, including my son.

Our Journey So Far

In November 2022, our second boy, Digby, arrived far earlier than expected — 10 weeks too soon. It was a night I will never forget. He spent the first 8 weeks of his life in NICU and SCBU, fighting hard every single day.

That early arrival has shaped our journey as a family. Digby has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and while this brings challenges, we are determined to give him every opportunity to thrive.

Why is this important?

The reality is that specialist support for children like Digby is very limited, with our healthcare system under so much pressure. That’s why the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has been nothing short of a lifeline. They welcomed us even before we had a diagnosis, offering expert care, understanding, and hope when we needed it most.

Early intervention is everything for children with cerebral palsy. Their young brains are so adaptable — therapy helps build new pathways, giving them the best chance at greater movement, independence, and confidence. The sooner this starts, the better the long-term outcomes.

Thanks to the charity, Digby attends regular Conductive Education sessions — a holistic approach that combines movement and learning to build independence. He also benefits from speech and language therapy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, outreach services, and family support. All of this comes at no cost to us, but the charity relies solely on fundraising to make it possible.

To put it into perspective: NHS therapy might be once a month, sometimes even once every three months. The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has stepped in to bridge the gap, supporting Digby’s development and even helping his nursery access the right equipment and training. The difference this has made to his progress and happiness is extraordinary.

What Difference Can You Make?

The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations.

The money raised will help children with cerebral palsy and motor learning difficulties get the therapy and support they need.

Every pound genuinely changes lives.

My Goal

I want to raise £2,500 before race day.

That’s enough to fund a term of therapy sessions, buy a specialist walker, and provide vital family support sessions.

How You Can Help

  • Donate whatever you can — every pound counts.
  • Share this page with your friends, family, and colleagues.
  • Follow my training journey over at @digdeepfordigby.

Every mile I run is for Digby, and for every child who faces challenges before they can even walk.

Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for helping me make a difference. 🙏

Chris 💙

 

Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity

Raising for:

Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity
241%

Funded

  • Target
    £2,500
  • Raised so far
    £6,025
  • Number of donors
    121

My Story

Hi, I’m Christian.

In April 2026, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon — all 26.2 miles of it — to raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, an incredible organisation that supports so many children, including my son.

Our Journey So Far

In November 2022, our second boy, Digby, arrived far earlier than expected — 10 weeks too soon. It was a night I will never forget. He spent the first 8 weeks of his life in NICU and SCBU, fighting hard every single day.

That early arrival has shaped our journey as a family. Digby has since been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and while this brings challenges, we are determined to give him every opportunity to thrive.

Why is this important?

The reality is that specialist support for children like Digby is very limited, with our healthcare system under so much pressure. That’s why the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has been nothing short of a lifeline. They welcomed us even before we had a diagnosis, offering expert care, understanding, and hope when we needed it most.

Early intervention is everything for children with cerebral palsy. Their young brains are so adaptable — therapy helps build new pathways, giving them the best chance at greater movement, independence, and confidence. The sooner this starts, the better the long-term outcomes.

Thanks to the charity, Digby attends regular Conductive Education sessions — a holistic approach that combines movement and learning to build independence. He also benefits from speech and language therapy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, outreach services, and family support. All of this comes at no cost to us, but the charity relies solely on fundraising to make it possible.

To put it into perspective: NHS therapy might be once a month, sometimes even once every three months. The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has stepped in to bridge the gap, supporting Digby’s development and even helping his nursery access the right equipment and training. The difference this has made to his progress and happiness is extraordinary.

What Difference Can You Make?

The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations.

The money raised will help children with cerebral palsy and motor learning difficulties get the therapy and support they need.

Every pound genuinely changes lives.

My Goal

I want to raise £2,500 before race day.

That’s enough to fund a term of therapy sessions, buy a specialist walker, and provide vital family support sessions.

How You Can Help

  • Donate whatever you can — every pound counts.
  • Share this page with your friends, family, and colleagues.
  • Follow my training journey over at @digdeepfordigby.

Every mile I run is for Digby, and for every child who faces challenges before they can even walk.

Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for helping me make a difference. 🙏

Chris 💙