I have decided to run the Great Birmingham run in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital for saving my son’s life. This will be my first ever half marathon. 

For those that don’t already know my son Reign was born with a rare birth condition called tracheo- oesophageal fistula with oesophageal atresia (TOF/OA). In short terms he was born unable to swallow as he had an abnormal connection from his throat to his stomach. Reign needed life saving surgery from day one of birth and had to be transferred by neonatal ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where surgeons worked to save his life. Me and my wife were heartbroken to see our little boy fighting for his life on a operating table. His surgery took 7 hours in total and was more complicated than the surgeons first thought. Reign was then taken to the PICU ward (intensive care) where he continued to put up a fight. He was intubated whilst he recovered, during this time the love and support he was given across the 24 hours was incredible. He truly is our miracle and kept fighting each day to get back on to the ‘normal’ wards. 

Despite all this happening the hospital supported myself and my wife who had just had a section, doing everything they could for us as a family. They even designed cards for Reign’s big brother at home who was yet to meet him due to Covid. We were provided with family support workers, feeding support, life training given. The care they provided was endless. 

It truly was the hardest time of our lives but our Reign is a miracle and our ‘Reignbow’ baby. He is now home with us, overcomes every hurdle put in front of him all with a smile on his face. 

Reign wouldn’t be here today without the endless support Birmingham Children’s Hospital gave us. We also met so many other poorly children during our stay in hospital who also value the support, love and miracle this hospital does. Please donate to this worthy cause because every child deserves a childhood ❤️

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.