Imagine your child going to bed on Christmas Eve with a cold, and on Christmas morning being rushed to hospital and put in an induced coma... its unimaginable isn't it, and something you would not wish on anyone.

This is precisely what has happened to local boy Robert Brennan. He had become unwell a couple of days before Christmas with flu like symptoms and so was taking cold and flu tablets like any other person would. During the night on Christmas Eve his breathing was becoming rapid and by Christmas morning his mum called an ambulance and he was taken to Leighton hospital with a suspected kidney infection.

On arrival Robert was quickly diagnosed with severe pneumonia and sepsis, put in a medically-induced coma and transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital's critical care unit where he also tested positive for swine flu. He is now on a machine and fighting for his life.

As you can imagine this is an extremely difficult time for Robert's family and his Mum has been at his bedside since he was admitted on Christmas Day, A few fundraising events have been set up to help the family and I wanted to do something personally to help them cover the cost of bills and day-to-day living expenses whilst Robert is in hospital but also to help them once he comes home as it will take a lot of adjustment; as they have been informed that Robert will have brain damage when he eventually comes out the coma.

As Sam White of Pukka Insurance had already challenged me to go alcohol free and me thinking that in our industry and with my circle of friends that is just impossible – it was hearing about Robert that made me take this challenge on. And trust me, for those who know me…. This is a challenge!! Some may even say harder than my Mont Blanc Trek! But in all seriousness this is an immensely worthwhile cause and I hope that you will all support me in helping Robert and his family.

Stoke Sentinel Article - Robert Brennan