Dear Coleen Rooney.... We know Rett UK is close to your heart

Dear Coleen,

I understand you're a little busy at the moment (congratulations by the way, another bouncing boy - just beautiful) but if you could take the time to have a read and consider my request, I'd be most grateful.

My step daughter, Lauren, is running the London Marathon this year to raise money for Rett UK.  Lauren has an older sister, Carly, who is 33 this year and has Rett Syndrome.

Lauren's older sister is just beautiful. Carly is one of the 1 in 12,000 girls with Rett syndrome; the severe lifelong neurological disorder, the mental and physical disability that began in early childhood. I understand Coleen, you know more about this than most people and it is a cause understandably, very close to your heart. 

(Lauren with Carly after she'd finished the Great South Run for Rett UK)

For those of you reading who'd like more info, please have a look at -www.rettuk.org 

Now Lauren ran her first marathon last year for the National Autistic Society for her friends little girl.  This year she has been lucky enough to secure a charity place for Rett UK.  Not only is the marathon a feat in itself, Lauren has to raise £3,000 for this marathon space.  This is a hard task, as you can imagine - but not an impossible task and certainly one we are all taking very seriously for this worthy charity.

Let me tell you a little about our Lauren - she is an amazing part of our family, has beautiful friends and is such a support to everyone.  Last year, she trained for the London marathon whilst working full
time, studying a full time college course in her spare time and working two jobs to keep her afloat.  This year she's training for the marathon, studying a full time uni course to be a radiographer; including placements at local hospitals on the south coast and working two jobs just to pay her rent (no student loan available and very minimal bursary due to her always having workedfull time and paying too much tax), so you can see - with her achievements, aspirations and achievements, Lauren is a force to be reckoned with!

To help fundraise; Lauren is taking donations to sell at carboot sales, is collecting via a just giving page and is organising a fund raising event in Portsmouth and holding a raffle at the event.

Click here for the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/873798396074943/

Click here for the just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Barcroft4/?utm_id=13

I apologise now Coleen, but my message is one of a plea. I'm not after your money (unless you would like to make a donation), but just something to pop in the raffle to raise some worthwhile funds if at all possible please.  I'm sure you get lots of these pleas but do please consider us; we would be grateful for anything - a signed football shirt/football of Wayne's, a signed item from your clothing range, anything that would help us along the way with the fundraising would just be so appreciated.

I know it's a massive ask and I understand if you have to turn us down.  But if you can help in any way at all, we would be most grateful.

Thank you for reading Coleen, wishing you all the best with your beautiful family. 

Saying a prayer for all those with Rett syndrome and those we've lost to this cruel disorder.  Along with Rett UK, we're determined to raise funds to do all we can to help support families and complete more research into this disorder.

If you can help us at all (even if you aren't Coleen Rooney) please do feel free to share this post far and wide and email me here.  Carboot fodder, raffle prizes (actual prizes or vouchers etc) or sponsorship great fully received xx

Thank you so much for reading!

Much love, Sammy xx