Raised: 130%
Target: £2,500.00
Raised so far: £3,251.44
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My story

 

My son, Sam, was born at 4am on the 10th July 2007.  He was suffering from chronic pneumonia, collapsed lungs and severe blood poisoning.  He was immediately moved from Kingston Hospital to a specialist unit at St George’s in Tooting.  They did everything they could for him but were unable to stop his rapid decline as his lungs couldn’t process enough oxygen and he was too weak to fight the infection.  On the recommendation of the medical team we had him christened at 1am on the 12th July as he was not expected to survive the night.

The following morning he was still fighting and we were given the news that Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) could take him.  Within 2 hours a team from the Children’s Acute Transport Service (CATS) arrived to take Sam.  They were awesome.  It took them 2 hours to move him into a mobile intensive care unit (it needed 8 people to lift Sam and all his wires and tubes!) and Sam went to GOSH.  While in transit the doctors reckoned that Sam showed some signs of stabilising which was the first positive news we had heard since his birth.

GOSH is an incredible place.  Sam was there for ECMO treatment – effectively a total heart / lung bypass that enables the organs to focus their energy on getting well rather than working.  At one point there was a queue of specialists waiting to assess Sam (x-rays, brain scans, blood tests – everything) and he started to respond to his new ventilator, so the ECMO treatment was constantly moved back hour by hour until late on 13th July (my wife Zoe’s birthday) it was decided he probably wouldn’t need to risk going on ECMO.

From that moment on Sam began his recovery. 

To celebrate Sam's first birthday, Drew and I are going to walk 145km, coast to coast across the north of England, following Hadrian's Wall.  We aim to raise as much money as possible to help GOSH provide the support and services needed by so many young children and families who are battling life threatening illnesses. 

Please sponsor us.

Best wishes Donation by Robert Winchester 23/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done to the little one (not so little) and the best of luck! Donation by Caroline Wood 22/06/08  

£20.00

Good luck guys :) Donation by Dominic Wild 21/06/08  

£50.00

Best of luck! Donation by Temi Oke 20/06/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Nigel W 20/06/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck mate! Donation by Gordon E 20/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best of luck! Donation by Daiva 20/06/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Andy Jones 20/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Enjoy the walk! Think it's fantastic! Donation by Sarah Linnell 20/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Isy Fergusson 20/06/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Best of Luck :) Donation by Emma Kempton 20/06/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All that is best! Donation by Thomas Hyrkiel 20/06/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

good luck mate! Donation by Lloyd Axten 20/06/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Glad to hear Sam is doing well mate. Good luck! Donation by Alex Wood 20/06/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Great cause Donation by Rob Phillips 20/06/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck and love from us all. Donation by Jonathan, Pippa, Henry and Millie Bunkall 19/06/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

It's wonderful to see such happy and healthy pictures of Sam from such a scarey start. Good luck to both of you and fingers crossed no blisters.. Donation by Vicki Laing 19/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We'll be thinking of you all :0) Donation by Debbie & Clive Cooke 19/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck to both of you (and Zoe!). Hope you don't get too many blisters Donation by Philippa Butler 18/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Sounds like a tough week. Good luck Zo. Enjoy your holiday Rich. Donation by Ade and Liz 18/06/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

good luck - very pleased to support you both - hope the sun will be shining and that there is a good pub at the end!! Donation by Fiona Tait 18/06/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

best wishes to you zoe and sam.good luck with the walk. Donation by evan herbert 18/06/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Only to pleased to help Great Ormond Street after they saved the life of my Grandson Donation by David Dawson 18/06/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck. Glad to see that Sam is doing well Donation by Jacek 18/06/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck. & wear those special marathon socks too! Donation by Helen Maxfield 18/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

It's cold up there! Wrap up well! Good Luck Donation by Sheena 18/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the very best. Wear some sensible shoes. Donation by Grant McMinnies 18/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Happy trails Donation by Anthonie Wain 17/06/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

What a fantastic thing to do. Happy Birthday Sam and Zo and good luck Rich & Drew!! Donation by Hannah & Tony 17/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best, and to a Happy Birthday to both Sam and Zoe next month Donation by Maria 17/06/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £3,251.44
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £831.49

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