10 years on from 1st August 1998

August 1st 2008 marks ten years since I sat in the Planet Hollywood restaurant, Leicester Square, London with Joshua who was then 7 years old and no longer winning the battle against his cancer. We had been given that news a few days earlier and I knew in my heart that my son was now living on borrowed time. His galiant battle had defied the odds and our trip to London was the final defiant stand which was to be a fate determined trip.

The whole of August 1st 1998 was, looking back, a day of tiny windows into the future. Joshua's actions that day were to determine our futures - starting with his wish to sit and have a street artist paint his portrait in the middle of Leicester Square. For a boy who worked on overdrive, it was miraculous that he sat for over an hour while a street artist painted the image that now personifies the Joshua Foundation - the charcoal print of a 7 year old’s face that shines upon us all, reminding us that "one" person can change everything. Looking back I often wonder - did Joshua know why that image was painted? We will never know.

Then there was the fateful decision to eat at Planet Hollywood. The queue was huge and if it wasn't for Paul Burgess, the manager, who spotted Joshua we might not be here now. By letting us jump the queue and by providing Josh with a "Planet Hollywood" leather jacket, the stage was set for Joshua to ask me that now infamous question - "mummy, can you arrange for some of the other kids from the unit to come here for a meal". That was it. Joshua carried on with eating his chicken wings and ribs.

My life was changed forever with those words. They say we sometimes don't realise how one moment can change everything. Destiny is literally formed in front of our very eyes and we don't know it. Well I certainly had no idea that a fabulous day between a mother and son would change the lives of so many people. For me August 1st 2008 is the real 10th birthday for the Joshua Foundation. It was conceived that day. By Joshua. One boy. One request. 10 years of dreams come true since. Happy Birthday Joshua Foundation. Thank you Joshua. You shaped your legacy and determined our destiny. Here's to 10 more years!