{"id":16200,"date":"2025-02-05T09:11:10","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T09:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.familyfund.org.uk\/?p=16200"},"modified":"2025-02-05T09:11:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T09:11:12","slug":"east-lothian-couple-take-on-the-great-north-run-for-family-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.familyfund.org.uk\/news\/east-lothian-couple-take-on-the-great-north-run-for-family-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"East Lothian couple take on the Great North Run for Family Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michaela, who is 31, lives with her sons CJ and Kayden, and her partner Gary and his son William. Five-year-old CJ has autism, global developmental delay and is non-verbal. Eight-year-old Kayden is currently on the diagnosis pathway for autism and Michaela also has autism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Help during a time of crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n <\/span>\n\n
\n

I was unaware of Family Fund until I had a crisis in my life. I was a single parent working full time and trying to manage my children. I had to make sacrifices at work to cut my hours so I could be a more present mum. I was in proper burnout, the type of exhaustion that a good night’s sleep didn’t fix anymore. I felt like I was failing and needed a break with my children<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A grant for a much-needed break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The family was awarded a grant to a Haven holiday park. Michaela tells us why they are running this challenge and the benefit they got from having some brief time away from caring at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"CJ<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

“I was amazed at the adjustments that were made for us to make our holiday as stress free as possible. It was the best family break we have been on.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“CJ loved swimming every day before breakfast and though he can’t verbally express how he feels, he shows it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Looking back at the videos from that trip he was doing his happy flapping and pacing back and forth barefoot on the grass. Kayden loves reminding me of the memories we made on that holiday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The break allowed me to reset and prove to myself that I can do this. I was at a point in my life where I was doubting myself as a parent.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training for the run<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“We are fortunate enough to be able to give back to the charity this year and take part in the Great North Run. I want to share our story and support the valuable work Family Fund does. We are doing about three runs a week at a great pace, slowly increasing to our first long run in April.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in Scotland and are raising a disabled or seriously ill child, apply for grants worth hundreds of pounds now whilst funding is available.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n Apply now if you live in Scotland\n <\/a>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Michaela Hall and Gary Shillinglaw are preparing to run 13 miles this September to raise money and help other families as a thank you for the support they received for Michaela\u2019s son, CJ.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16202,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","_mixd_wp_review_post_reminders":[],"_mixd_wp_review_date":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"class_list":["post-16200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEast Lothian couple take on the Great North Run for Family Fund - Family Fund<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Michaela Hall and Gary Shillinglaw are preparing to run 13 miles this September to raise money to thank kids' charity for the support they received.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.familyfund.org.uk\/news\/east-lothian-couple-take-on-the-great-north-run-for-family-fund\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"East Lothian couple take on the Great North Run for Family Fund - 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