This is a guest post from Helen at Photography for Little People about who she is and why she supports Alexander's Charity Ball 

When I first heard about Alexander's Charity and the tragedy that had
 struck Nicola and her family I felt a tremendous wave of sadness and
 wondered how you could ever continue on lives path.  I must admit I
 came home that night, at the time my own son was 17months old and I held him so tight thinking if that had of been me!
 
 Anyway as I recently started my own business I was looking to work
 with a charity that would be part of me and Photography for Little
 People Sheffield.  I felt after all these years of dreaming of my own business that part of it was also to help raise awareness and monies for a worthwhile cause.  I had looked at lots of charities but none
 that struck a cord with me, until of course I met Nicola.
 
 I spent many a night thinking and reading Nicola's story, which then prompted me to research FSID even more.  I arranged a coffee with Nicola and I knew within minutes that Alexander's Charity was the
 one for me.  Something inside knew that I had to do all I could, however small to help raise awareness and do what I could to show that there are more families than we know who are suffering in the way Nicola and her family have and still do.  And without the families such as Nicola and the charity, all of those other families in need would have no where to turn to.  Realistically, this is Alex's charity and one Nicola has poured her heart and soul into.  I wanted Nicola to know she could trust me in promoting the charity in a positive way, so I really was on tenderhooks until Nicola expressed her delights in having PLP be part of something so personal.  However all in all my small contribution makes me feel part of something special and unique.
 
 So what have I been doing?  Well so far I have just had all my artwork re done to include Alexander's Charity logo and links to the charity on the Sheffield PCT trust.  I am currently working on getting the link on my business page and on my next print run of leaflets and posters, the logo will be proudly part of my work.  On
 top of that I am actively seeking a celebrity to agree to have an impression of their hand, along with a signed photo to be auctioned on the night of the Ball! Both me and Nicola are hoping that if we
 get the celebrity on board they may even attend.....so watch this space!!!!!  

 On a personal note and although I never met Alex, I am sure he would be so proud of his mummy who is a true inspiration.  And because of Nicola I feel that I can spread the awareness of Alex but in a truly
 positive way and as mummy it has made me more thankful for my very own piece of perfection!

Helen is the busiest person ever but has still taken the time out to include ACB as part of her work, we are still in the early stages of this collaboration so we are both working on ideas to make this work for us both.  Please take a look at PLP's main website they have some lovely shots and impressions and do a great amount of work for charity _ Helen is also on Facebook so please go over and give her a like by clicking here 

Why do I support the Charity? Well, seeing as though Ian is one of my best friends Alex’s death was bound to affect all those close to him profoundly. For me there is also another reason that will resound with any parent. Ava had just been born (my first) and I was still coming to terms with the fact that I was a dad and responsible for another little person. I was also still in the phase of making sure she was breathing at night…

We had decided to combine a business trip to Filey with our first over night stay with our little girl and were travelling up the A64 with a work colleague, my wife and Ava. I missed a call from Dan as I was on the phone to a client. I don’t really recall what happened next, whether I called back or if my wife took a call. All I do know is that I found out that Alex had died. What sticks in my memory is that the morning seemed to pass on autopilot with the meeting with a client discussing business and then leaving my colleague there as we drove off. I drove the car for a few miles then collapsed crying at the wheel. We came straight home.

Alex wasn’t a baby in my mind; he was a toddler and way past the point of danger. How could this have happened? How could Ian and Nicola survive this? What would I do? All those awful questions you ask yourself time and time again.

I can honestly say that hardly a day goes by whereby I don’t think of Alex and the impact it’s had on my life as a dad. I like to think I am a better dad because of it and I like to think that his life has left a permanent impression not only on his family but on all those around him.

 I have been meaning to write to you and tell you this for years… never got round to it. Never really thought it was fair to bring it up but now it’s said. Every time I kiss my kids good night and read them a story I cherish that I have them.

Dave and Toni have been brilliant friends and a tremendous amount of support to us over the last 5 and a half years.  Ava and Fred are fabulously funny, well rounded kids who are a credit to them and without The Cross Family to support and encourage I'm not sure that The Ball would exist in it's current form.

Thank You both from the bottom of our hearts.

Nicola and Ian x