In February 2024 our 3 year old son, Dougie, spent 12 nights in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, having been transferred by the Nwts (North West & North Wales Paediatric Transport Service) after a stay in our local hospital in Preston.

We spent 8 nights in Intensive care (PICU) where he was intubated and treated for a number of infections, including a collapsed lung due to Invasive Group A Strep and Pneumonia. We then spent a week on the ward building his strength to come home.

We were absolutely in awe of the care he received at RMCH. The dedication of the nursing team, the diligence and wonderful communication from the Doctors and Consultants, the attention and distraction from the play team plus everyone else who played a vital role in his care and recuperation. We were determined to ‘give something back’ after this was all over. We knew we had to raise money for this wonderful hospital so that other families could continue to receive exceptional care.

We are planning 'Dougie's Dozen'...12 fundraisers over a 12 month period, for the boy who spent 12 nights in hospital (and was born on the 12th of the month!)...we'd love to raise £8k.

Our events include family fun runs with our children, bake sales, a 19 storey hotel abseil, a half marathon for Ellie & Gordon and finally, the pinnacle of our 12 months and new-found running mission...the London MARATHON!!

As part of our family business, we're also running a number of themed Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense classes where all ticket sales will go to our overall fund plus a huge raffle with over £1400 worth of prizes.

We really hope you can get behind our very worthy cause and help us to smash our target of £8,000.

If you're sponsoring a specific person or event, please give them a mention in the comments!

Thank you so much for any contribution you can manage.

Ellie, Gordon (& Dougie!) x