Welcome to my Just Giving fundraising page! I am running the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity. 

My story - At just 4 weeks old, my son Rory developed breathing problems after a severe case of RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus). Despite various treatments, multiple hospital visits, and a collapsed lung, Rory's condition worsened significantly. He was placed on a ventilator as a last resort, and we faced an agonising 24 hours with no improvement.

Connected to eight different leads, Rory’s stats and health were monitored closely. Heart-wrenchingly, we couldn't hold him for days as any movement would interfere with the ventilator doing its job.

Over the coming days, Rory was monitored by a dedicated team of PICU staff 24/7. This was crucial as he crashed 15 times each triggering a rush of medical assistance!!! The traumatic memory of that emergency button being pressed, and the swift response of the staff rushing in to keep him alive, is something we'll never forget. The care, speed and attention he was given in the PICU (Paediatric Intensive Care Unit) was unbelievable. Staff stayed late and worked through lunches to ensure he got the proper level of care needed to recover.

The hard-working PICU staff don’t just have to support the kids but also the parents too whether it be simple small talk, a hug or emotional support. Despite setbacks, Rory is a fighter and showed gradual improvement after 5 days on the ventilator. The doctors tried to reduce his 100% reliance on the ventilator and get Rory to take an occasional breath on his own.

The ventilator dependence lessened, and as his stats improved, doctors carefully transitioned him onto oxygen therapy. Over time, we witnessed his remarkable recovery, eventually celebrating the removal of the ventilator altogether, a huge relief for us all as it felt we were no longer on the last resort option.

There were still challenges as Rory had to relearn to feed and breathe independently without oxygen therapy. Finally, after more than 2 weeks we managed to get our boy home. Fast forward a year, Rory is thriving, up to mischief, trying to talk and annoying his big sisters. We remain cautious in times of illness as simple cold/viruses hit him hard which hopefully will pass as he gets older.

We will be forever grateful to the PICU staff and their life-saving equipment. In honour of this journey, I've committed to running the Edinburgh Marathon to help to raise funds for the Glasgow Children’s Charity. They rely on donations to fund life-changing equipment, support services and vital research at Scotland's largest children's hospital.

If you can, please share and consider making a kind donation to support this cause.

Thanks Josh, Gillian, Rebecca, Rachel and Rory McClinton.