My Story

Amrit & RMHC

In 2018, my brother Amrit was admitted to hospital, where he stayed for eight long months.

Amrit was 14 at the time. He had a condition called Arthrogryposis, which affects the joints and muscles, but he never let it define him. He was bright, funny, clever, and full of personality. He was living life like any teenager, curious, cheeky, and always making people smile.

Then everything changed.

He was admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital due to sudden liver failure, and his condition quickly deteriorated. Eventually, it led to brain damage. At one point, we were told we were going to lose him.

Hearing those words was devastating. It was an overwhelming and traumatic time for our entire family, something no parent or sibling should ever have to face.

During those eight months, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) who provide a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children in hospital became our sanctuary. It gave us more than just a place to stay - it gave us comfort, consistency, and the priceless ability to be just moments away from Amrit’s bedside.

That proximity meant I could see him every single day. I didn’t have to miss time with him, or face long, exhausting journeys. I could simply be there for him, and for my family. That peace of mind is something I’ll never forget.

But what made RMHC truly special was the sense of community. The house was filled with other families going through their own versions of heartbreak, and in that shared experience, there was connection. I began volunteering every Wednesday, making waffles for other residents. I laughed, joined in activities, listened to stories, and formed bonds with people who understood.

In those moments, small but powerful I found purpose and light, even in the darkest time of my life.

The RMHC staff were extraordinary. They weren’t just running a facility; they were creating a space for healing. They showed compassion, patience, and care in every interaction. They supported my mum when she needed to cry, and they gave us room to breathe when we didn’t know what to say. That kindness stayed with me. It still shapes the way I approach others today.

Now, years later, I’m running the London Marathon to give back.

This isn’t just a race. It’s a thank you. It’s a tribute. It’s a way to honour what was done for us and to pay it forward to other families who are still facing the unthinkable.

Amrit is still with us. He was never able to walk due to his condition, but he used to talk, laugh, and fill our lives with his bright personality. Now, he no longer speaks. He can’t interact or engage with the world like he used to. He needs full-time care and is completely dependent on others for everything. The change has been heartbreaking. But even in silence, his presence is powerful. He’s still the heart of our family and always will be. He deserves to be seen, to be celebrated, and to be remembered for who he is and not just what he’s lost. He can’t tell his story anymore, so I’m telling it for him through every step I run.

My goal is to raise £5,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Every donation, big or small, helps provide a safe place for families to stay close to their children during hospital stays. Your support truly makes a difference.

Let me run this marathon for every family who still needs the kind of support we were so incredibly lucky to receive. For families with children as young as newborns, who are fighting through intensive care, chemotherapy, or other serious health conditions, often hundreds of miles away from home, separated by distance and fear. Families who spend endless days and sleepless nights in hospital rooms, far from their familiar lives and comforts, holding tightly to hope while facing unimaginable challenges. These families deserve a place to rest, to feel safe, and to be near the child they love above all else.

And I am running this marathon for Amrit, my brother, my inspiration, whose courage through it all drives me to keep going and for all of the families who are going through a difficult time as I hope that they can find comfort and support through RMHC as me and my family did.