As a team, Ben, Henry, Lucy and Claire are running the Great South Run to raise funds for Friends of PICU who provide the very best of care to Critically ill Children and their families at the regional Intensive Care Unit at Southampton University Hospital.

Lucy spent time in the unit 4 years ago, here is her story....

In January 2019 I was admitted to Poole Hospital with appendicitis. In my pre-op scans they found a mass on my pancreas so after my appendectomy I was referred to a specialist in Southampton Hospital. They explained the lump was a SPEN (a type of tumour) the size of a large grapefruit. Major surgery was required to remove it as if it had continued to grow, it would have stopped my blood supply. The surgery I had was called a Whipples procedure and involved removing the tumour, the head of my pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum and part of my stomach. Following 10 hours in theatre, I was admitted into PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit). The medical "stuff" that goes on in there is incredible, yet all the staff are calm, friendly and comforting to both patients and families in supporting them through incredibly tough times, it’s not an easy experience for any parent to go through.

It will be our way of thanking Southampton Hospital and PICU and we would really appreciate it if you could donate to this wonderful charity so they can continue saving lives around the clock. Thank you! “