In April 2024, my wife Emily gave birth to our gorgeous son Leo in our local hospital. Around 5 hours after he was born, Leo turned blue in colour and was in respiratory distress. Thankfully he was stabilised but after a number of tests, doctors diagnosed him with an extremely rare congenital heart condition which affects roughly 8 in 100,000 people. Leo’s condition is one of the very few that cannot currently be located in the womb by standard ultrasound scans. Due to the specialist nature of his condition, Evelina Children's Hospital were immediately contacted to take over Leo’s care. Evelina’s specialist ambulance service retrieved Leo and myself less than 12 hours after Leo was born. Unfortunately Emily had to stay behind until the next day, due to her continuing care post-birth.

On the evening of Leo’s birthday, Emily and I were told that Leo would need urgent open heart surgery, in order for his life to be saved. Leo’s surgery took place on his second day of life and after 10 days in paediatric intensive care and the specialist cardiac ward at Evelina, we were finally able to take our beautiful son home to enjoy the normal newborn moments that every new parent looks forward to. Leo’s first surgery was a success, but in an effort to improve his outcome further, Leo underwent a second open heart surgery more recently in November 2024 at 7 months old.

Being told your baby has such a serious condition and one that is life threatening without surgery, is the most heartbreaking and terrifying news any parent can be given. The only comfort we had during that time was the knowledge that Leo was getting the best, most specialist care possible, from leading medical professionals. Every person we have come across working in NICU, PICU, Critical Care and the Ward at Evelina have been the most caring, empathetic, reassuring and courageous people you could imagine. The bravery it takes to operate on and care for these little unwell babies and children, is so inspiring. Emily and I are blown away by everyone who works in this incredible hospital. In a time when we were powerless to do anything to help save our baby, the comfort we felt knowing that he was in the best hands imaginable helped us beyond words.

The news of Leo’s condition and need for surgery was earth shattering for us. The whole period of being in hospital with Leo during his recovery both times was traumatic, but the love and care that Evelina gives children and their families is incredible. As much as Evelina heals children, it also goes a long way to piece parents and families back together during the worst time of their lives, and we are hugely grateful for that.

Evelina saved our son’s life and in the process, healed our hearts a great deal too. This is why I am running the London Marathon on 27 April 2025 for Evelina London, as a way to thank the hospital and all those who work there, for everything it’s done for my family.

Every year more than 103,000 children and young people experience the wonderful warmth of Evelina London. We’ve seen first hand the care and passion of the Evelina London team who are exploring new approaches and creating ground-breaking care for children and young people. The money raised will go towards life saving equipment, life changing research and better facilities that go far beyond what the NHS can provide. Sponsorship will pay towards making childrens’ stay in hospital full of distraction, with the use of games and toys, but also be invested in new innovative technologies, which will help more children receive the treatment they need and for their lives to be saved.

Thank you very much for your support and sponsorship, it means a great deal to me and my precious little family.