10-year-old Mia May McDonald from Maidstone has a genetic disorder which leaves her blind and unable to speak or walk. Dad of two and finance analyst David Ellis, 42, from Chislehurst, is taking on the London Marathon for the first time to help raise money for Mia May.

Since Mia’s condition was discovered following MRI scans at Great Ormond Street when she was ten months old, her parents Nick McDonald, 43, and Joanna Woollard, 41, have been tirelessly working with fundraising charity Tree of Hope to fundraise to pay for private physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and specialist equipment to improve her strength and movement.

David said: ‘I’ve taken part in triathlons before and will be running my first half marathon this week, and so far training is going well.’

‘I wanted to run to help raise funds for Mia May as her needs are and will be ongoing and the family need as much money for her therapy and equipment as possible.’

The McDonald family has raised around £40000 of their £50000 target through sales of donations from local companies and events such as sponsored Tough Mudder races and triathlons by Nick’s colleagues at Fujitsu in Bracknell.

Nick added: ‘The need for fundraising is constant as Mia May gets bigger. There are adaptations to the house we need to make, we want to get her a special bath as she loves being in the bath, and a new bike trailer as we used to take her out on our bikes but she is too big for it now.  As well as items like specialist wheelchairs for beach access, There’s also ongoing physio’

‘We’re incredibly grateful to David for taking on the marathon for Mia May, as well as to all those who support him.’

Mia May’s family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like  Mia with healthcare needs which cannot be provided by the NHS and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.

Tree of Hope CEO Becky Andrew said: ‘We wish Mia May and her family all the best with their fundraising activities and David the best of luck for the Marathon! We are pleased to give them support in reaching their fundraising goals.’

To donate to Mia May’s fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mia-may-2025 or https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/ways-to-give/childrens-campaigns/mia-mays-movement/