Our son Thomas was born early on 17th August 2016 following a routine ultrasound at 36 weeks gestation. The scan detected an abnormality in his left kidney but until our baby was born a diagnosis was impossible and we were told our baby would have to be delivered without delay.

Thomas arrived weighing a healthy 6lb 6 but the abnormality was clearly visible on his left side and was taking up around two thirds of his abdomen. We were transferred from Preston Hospital to Manchester Childrens Hospital on 19th August 2016. The following days were the hardest days we have ever encountered, and Thomas was deteriorating before our eyes. He underwent numerous tests and scans to give him the best possible chance and a week after his birth he had an operation to remove his left kidney.

The operation took nearly 5 hours and a tumour weighing 14 ounces was removed from his tiny body. Recovery was a long and emotional process but we were a step closer to home.

We were discharged the day before Thomas’s due date and on the same day we attended clinic to see Thomas's Oncologist. He confirmed the mass was in fact a tumour referred to as a Cellular Mesoblastic Nephroma and was thankfully benign. It had been contained within the kidney that had been removed and Thomas would be monitored for the foreseeable future.

Without any doubt, without the care we received from Manchester Childrens Hospital and Preston Hospital Thomas would not be here. This is our way of saying thank you for enabling us to bring our son and Grace’s Brother home.

We are raising money for Manchester Childrens Hospital to mark the one year anniversary of Thomas's transfer from Preston Hospital to Manchester Childrens Hospital. We will be cycling the 46 miles from Preston Hospital to St Marys on 19th August 2017. Please help us raise as much money as we can to say thank you for the amazing care and treatment Thomas received.