I have been thinking for a while now how I would like to give something back to Birmingham Childrens Hospital in return for the hard work they gave to my brother Duwayne Philpott, so when I was offered a place in the London Marathon I jumped at the chance to raise money for this worthwhile cause.  Staff on the Intensive Care ward worked tirelessly to save his life & make him as comfortable as possible, they also took every effort going out of their way to help us as a family understand what was happening, explaining what the machines were doing & what would happen next.  Duwayne had severe burns that that needed changing every 2 hours as well as constant observations on his condition, the staff not only worked professionally but went above & beyond this to help Duwayne and our family.  I cannot speak highly enough of the staff who obviously knew that Duwayne had already lost his sister and 4 brothers so trying to save him was so important to us.  Unfortunately this was not to be, Duwayne tragically lost his fight & the staff once again were there to help comfort us during this time.

The staff then had to discuss with us the option of  having Duwaynes organs donated, this was something very difficult & sensitive to have to talk about so soon after knowing he had lost his battle to the smoke he had inhaled. Although it was hard to talk about, we felt it was something good that could come out of this tragedy, helping save someone else's life. Six organs were able to be donated which I thought was very fitting, one organ for each of my brother's & sister lost. It is a comfort to us to know that some other families have benefited in this way. It is difficult to explain how much care & compassion the staff took in dealing with this very difficult situation. 

Trying to explain how important it is to raise as much aspossible for the charity is hard to put into words. Finding out the devastation the fire at the family home caused is a feeling that left me empty, I couldn't believe what I had been told. I remember my last moments with Duwayne. I remember me and the family being around his bedside, everyone was saying goodbye in their own way to him & I couldn't find the words. I found it one of the hardest moments of my life, knowing that was my last moments with him and I just didn't know what those words I would get to say to him would be. I was struggling, everyone left me in the room by myself, staff did everything to make the last moments as special as could be. I remember holding his hand and talking about our memories, all the football games we went to together, our fishing trips, family trips to skegness with the other's, the pile ons we use to have at home, how his voice had become deeper than mine already haha. The thing I wont forget is how comfortable he looked, and how he still looked as though he was still here, I remember kissing him on his forehead and saying see you soon brother.

I will never get over what I have lost but I am one of the luckiest people alive to have had these 6 amazing kids in my life. I'm thankful for the amazing memories they have given me, the moments I remember are some of my favourite in my life so far. I think trying to do something positive out of my loss will not just only help this worthwhile charity allowing them to get things they are striving for to help the children & their families they have to deal with day in day out, but it will also help & comfort me knowing I have done something positive in their memories. This is my thanks to these wonderfull caring people at Birmingham Childrens Hospital.

Every step i take on the day will be in memory of my brothers and sister.

Duwayne Ashley Philpott aged 13 years

Jade Louise Philpott aged 10 years

John Simon David Philpott aged 9 years

Jack Elvis Aaron Philpott aged 8 years

Jesse James Philpott aged 6 years

Jayden Callum Philpott aged 5 years

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