Milton Keynes' Marnie Moo team raise more than £5,000 after marathon effort

The team of 80 took part in last Sunday’s Milton Keynes Half Marathon donning all colours of the rainbow.

A‘Mini’ Team Marnie-Moo, also competed in the Superhero Fun Run, a 1.5 mile race in Superhero fancy dress.

Marnie Brace was born with a heart condition called hypotrophic cardiomyopathy and Noonans Syndrome.

The tiny tot was the drive behind a campaign for organ donation, but sadly lost her fight for life.

Dad Nick, mum Amy, and brothers Jonah and Coby have vowed to keep her legacy going by giving back to those that supported them during their stay in hospital.

Campaign supporter Katie Park said: “The Brace family are a very lucky family to have such wonderful friends who have joined them in their efforts to keep Marnie’s legacy going. Marnie really did have such a big impact on everyone she came across.”

Team Marnie-Moo was set up in 2017 to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House, at the Evelina children’s hospital in London, one of two charities supported by the campaign.

The House is a free ‘home away from home’ for the families of children being treated at the hospital. Katie added: “The Brace family were supported so wonderfully by the staff, who became family during their time in London. The prospect of leaving your newborn baby in hospital is a scary one, so when they called to say they had a room, it was more incredible than words can explain. The staff helped Amy, Nick and Jonah during their two stays with support, cuddles and chats. Having a home away from home is essential during such difficult times and if we can help provide this for others then this is a huge achievement.”

The campaign also raised funds for ECHO, the Evelina Children’s Heart Organisation, a charity that help families with children who suffer from a range of cardiac conditions. They support children and young people with heart conditions and their families, who have been treated by Evelina Children’s Hospital networks.

“ECHO is regarded by many as a second family and for the Brace family this couldn’t be more true”, added Katie.