7^th February 2004 was one of the happiest days of my life, my beautiful daughter Amisha was born.  As I held her in my arms for the very first time, admiring my little angel, she started to turn blue! She was whisked away and into the intensive care unit, where we were told she had Meconium on her lungs. The birth had been complicated and that night I received a phone call from the hospital saying Amisha wasn’t doing well. We consented to her transfer to another hospital in Hammersmith, that we hoped could provide the care she needed. As a new father I knew very little about the condition and I was totally lost in medical jargon as the medical staff explained the procedures. 24 hours past and the hospital informed us that she wasn’t responding well to the treatment. My wife and I didn’t know what to do other than cry, pray and hope for a miracle. And that miracle came!

Amisha was accepted at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) and transferred there immediately. The doctors explained that to save her life she needed Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); the use of an artificial lung located outside the body, that puts oxygen into the blood and continuously pumps this blood into and around the body. As a shocked and stunned parent, all I wanted was to see my baby healthy and thriving. With treatment she slowly started to improve over the next few weeks. During this time we sat next to her tiny cot, holding her hand. I remember gazing around the ward, looking up at the amazing medical staff, they were like angels attending to the little souls around the room. Finally, after three months, Amisha had recovered and was able to come home. Today, she is a bright and confident teenager.  

Since then, I have been dedicated to supporting GOSH, raising funds for this great hospital through my work, appearances and skills. Last year I undertook a treacherous journey to the Antarctica and on my return I said never again. However, my quest and urge to support the hospital has given me the motivation to return to Antarctica. My daughter didn’t have the best start to life, but we were incredibly fortunate that GOSH were there for us.  I want to do my bit to ensure GOSH is there for every child that needs its services.   

Please support my fundraising to help GOSH continue the fantastic service it provides to so many little children.