In May 2024, our wonderful little boy Hudson was diagnosed with a Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer), at 19 months old. Hudson is receiving treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle. We are so grateful for the amazing care the Paediatric Oncology department are providing for Hudson and truly believe he is getting the best possible care.

Hudson is doing well with his treatment. We are doing our best to remain positive and cheerful for him. However, having a child with cancer is incredibly difficult both emotionally and practically. The support we receive from our family and friends is invaluable, and we could not be more grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives.

Hudson’s chemotherapy regime is aggressive due the type of cancer and the advancement of the disease. Therefore, he spends a lot of time in hospital, where his treatment can make him very unwell. While he is in the RVI, only one parent can stay with him overnight. This means one of us must leave at the end of each day and return early the next morning. As we live in Teesside, coming and going from the hospital is not easy. We initially stayed in hotels, which was not sustainable due to difficulties finding availability and cost. We then discovered Crawford House.

Crawford House supports families of sick children being treated at the RVI by providing somewhere to stay on site. It is funded by the Sick Children’s Trust, which is a charitable organisation.

Of all the support we receive, Crawford House has made the biggest difference to us in a practical sense. Being able to stay so close to Hudson while he has treatment provides such comfort, in addition to easing the financial burden of hotel stays.

Crawford House can only exist with funding from the Sick Children’s Trust. However, their costs are high, therefore donations are essential. To sponsor a room at Crawford House for one-year costs £10,000.

James, Beccy, Sarah & Jonny have committed to running the Great North Run to raise money for Crawford House. Raising this money helps us feel that we are giving back to a brilliant organisation that are providing support to us and other families in our situation.

We know that times are tough for many people at the moment. We ask that you donate as much or as little as you feel able. In addition to any donation, please send positive thoughts to our little boy to help Hudson on his journey to recovery.

With love,

James & Fiona

The runners: James Mills (Dad), Rebecca Serino (Honorary Auntie / One of Fiona’s oldest & dearest friends), Sarah McCulloch (Auntie), Jonny McCulloch (Uncle).