I will be running the London marathon to raise money for the sick children’s trust. I am running on behalf of Elliot, Kellie and Stu.

When a child suddenly becomes ill, there's no time to plan. The Sick Children's Trust is the charity that gives families one less thing to worry about by giving them a place to stay, and someone to talk to, free of charge just minutes from their child's bedside.

I have asked Kellie to share their story:

Elliot Mitchell Glenn Cullen was born on 7th August 2022 at Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford, Essex. He was born at just 35 weeks after my waters burst due to polyhydramanos.
Elliot initially appeared extremely healthy for a premature baby, but unfortunately only minutes after being born he was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit where it was suspected he had an issue with his oesophagus.
Elliot was transferred by ambulance to NICU at The Rosie in Addenbrookes, Cambridge where it was discovered he had a long gap oesophageal atresia. OA is a birth defect where the oesophagus ends in a blind pouch and doesn’t connect to the lower oesophagus and stomach. This condition left Elliot unable to swallow. A gastrostomy button was fitted so he would be able to be fed, and a tube was inserted through his nose to suction away the secretions that otherwise would build up in the oesophageal pouch causing him to aspirate.
For the first 2 months of Elliot’s stay the sick children’s trust provided us with a room in Chestnut House. Being just minutes from Elliot’s bedside when he was so small and fragile was extremely comforting and being able to have our 2 year old stay with us allowed him to form a relationship with his new brother.

Unfortunately Elliot’s gap was too big for him to have his operation in February. Surgeons and specialists are looking at his rare case and we hope to know more soon. Meanwhile Elliot is waiting patiently in hospital