This summer, The Penning Family are on a mission to revel in everything JOYful!

This past winter has not been kind to Hudson and our family.  He has had many an inpatient stay – 3 gruelling weeks being treated for meningitis, followed by an inpatient stay with COVID and a subsequent 8 days with another nasty, nasty winter virus. 

All of the above is in addition to the trials and tribulations that come with being a whole organ transplant recipient as a child – countless blood tests (many several attempts at a time), changes in medicine, trips to A&E for inaccurate blood readings, treatment for exposure to childhood illnesses like chickenpox – the list is endless.  And yet Hudson still finds room for a smile after all the anger & tears!

As a family we have felt nothing short of deflated this winter and have struggled to see the light through rather tired and weary eyes.  We want nothing more than to take away all of the unfortunate events that are happening far too often to Hudson.  We cannot change what has happened or what may happen in the future.  However, what WE CAN do, is seek JOY at every given, healthy & happy opportunity we can. 

So what are we doing?

We have decided to head back to the British Transplant Games this summer (this time in Coventry) where Hudson will compete, alongside his wonderful transplant-recipient peers, in 25m track, an obstacle race and a ball throw competition.  Not only that, but we will all take part in a 2.5km Donor Walk to celebrate & honour all those who have donated their organs (including my wonderful Mum!) and made the British Transplant Games possible by keeping so many people alive and thriving.

Aside from the organised sporting events, there will be lots of time to spend with other families just like ours, navigating their way through post-transplant life with their children.  Including a huge group trip to a water park!  What’s even more exciting this year, is that Hudson’s brother Otis is walking and will also be able to get involved in various activities with all the other transplant recipient siblings.

But is doesn’t stop there!  In the spirit of FINDING JOY and making the most of the summer (and prepping for the BTG too!), we are also taking part in our village fun run - RunFest - so you’ll find all four of us in bright yellow Kings College Hospital charity t-shirts and walking 1km around our village green.

How can you help do I hear you ask?  Well firstly, none of this life we are living would have been possible without Kings College Hospital – their nurses, doctors, transplant surgeons, facilities, care, research.  Without them, Hudson simply would not be here.  So all of this fundraising, right here, is for them.  To give back to those that saved our son’s life and continue to look after him so very well each and every day since.  The money raised will go on to help families just like mine continue to receive the care that our children so desperately need (and believe me when I tell you there are far more families in our shoes than you could ever imagine).

So if you are able to do anything this summer, please consider donating what you can to Kings College Hospital Charity and I promise you, you’ll never find a more grateful bunch of people than the parents of these extraordinary children.  Please help us get our son’s JOY back!

[We are fundraising for the British Transplant Games Fund D2338]