Finley is taking part in the 62 miles in October Challenge to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. He will be walking, running and bike riding over the month supported by his wonderful family and friends, all who have played an important part in his recovery!

Finley’s Story:

On Wednesday 14th February 2024 Finley was admitted to our local hospital (Russells Hall) after being unwell for a number of days. Over the next few days his condition deteriorated and health professionals were unable to work out what was wrong with him. On Monday 19th February 2024, Russells Hall hospital worked with the team from Birmingham Childrens Hospital and quickly established a priority to protect his airways, due to Finley being unable to keep oxygen readings at a sufficient level and having severe lacerations in his mouth. By lunchtime, Finley was taken to theatre, placed in an induced coma and taken to intensive care. A bed was organised for him in the intensive care at Birmingham Childrens and the incredible retrieval team arrived later in the afternoon to move him. We were met by two consultants, senior nurse and ambulance driver from St Johns who worked together to get Finley moved into their specialised ambulance and taken to Birmingham Childrens Hospital. Once there, he was admitted into PICU and met by the wonderful team who worked who got him settled.

Finley stayed in intensive care for a week and was diagnosed with something called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (also Erythema Multiforme Major) which is incredibly rare, in particular the way it affected him. Throughout the week, Finley was intubated to support his breathing, he was being treated with many different types of medication and his poor eyes were injected with steroids, not to mentioned the endless about of eye drops. As his sedation was reduced Finley was a warrior, smashing all the targets he was given, keeping his spirits up when learning to sit up and gain control of his body again. The care he received was just incredible and staff knew him so well and were determined to get him better so he could have his orange slushy! Thanks to the most incredible team of professionals who worked so hard to help him he was able to leave PICU after a week and move to a ward where after a short stay he was able to recover at home and be reunited with his little brother.

Finley is still under the care of the Ophthalmology and Dermatology team at BCH and he can’t wait till the day he doesn’t need eye drops!

Thank you,

Sarah, Finley and Oakley x

At Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, we believe there’s always more we can do for our sick kids and that’s why we will always strive to do more for our patients and families. It’s our mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use our hospital.

Your support empowers us to take innovative approaches to treating some of the sickest children in the UK. Your fundraising enables us to make our hospital feel just like home. Your donations are helping us to find new ways to treat and cure childhood diseases.