Big hearted Redditch runners boost hospital's cause

Buy photos» Jenny Spencer and Leanne Roath tackle the 13mile plus course. (s)

Ian Dipple

25 October. Updated: 25 October 11:27

A MOTHER from Redditch left her son's bedside to raise money for the hospital which has helped save his life.

Mandy Pearce was among the 800 runners who took part in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run on Sunday (October 23) in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Her son Bailey, nine, survived two life-threatening heart conditions within the first three years of his life thanks to ground-breaking emergency surgery at the hospital after being born with a rare condition called Pulmonary Atresia which means one of the heart's four valves has not formed properly so blood has no way of getting into lungs to take in oxygen. Bailey also suffers from VSD, a hole in the heart between the left and right ventricles, the heart's two pumping chambers.

After undergoing surgery as a baby to divert blood around the blockage where the valve should have been, at the age of three Bailey contracted as serious bacterial heart infection and was rushed into hospital again. And last Friday (October 21) following an unexpected crisis he underwent open heart surgery to fit a piece of equipment called a Hancock Conduit but was expected to be out of hospital within a week.

But mum Mandy still felt it was important to take part in the run to fund-raise for the hospital which saved her son's life.

"This was my first ever run and although I’ve been training regularly, it was really tough three miles from the end when there was a steep hill – but I’m glad I ran it as the hospital have been brilliant with Bailey and they’re the reason he’s here today," she said.

Bailey is not done with the surgery and when he is older will have an operation to create an artificial pulmonary valve and shut the VSD but in the meantime he enjoys playing football and goes to karate lessons with his sister KC.

Also taking part was Jenny Spencer from Wythall whose four-year-old niece Lauren Price survived a major six hour operation to remove a brain tumour after being diagnosed in May 2010.

The 34-year-old teamed-up with friend Leanne Roath to take on the half marathon challenge and has been training three times a week in all weather in Brueton Park in Solihull or around Hollywood and Earlswood. And Lauren herself was there to cheer them on.

Jenny said: "It’s been an incredibly scary time and it’s really helped bring our family even closer together. Lauren’s walking fine now; her speech is hugely improved now the tumour’s gone and she’s having help with her development and behaviour, making really good progress. The first day I walked into Birmingham Children’s Hospital and saw the sort of major problems some families were having to deal with – many far worse than Lauren’s - it was a real eye-opener and brought it home to me how lucky my husband Jason and I were to have healthy children. The hospital is such a special place – all the nurses and the rest of the staff are just lovely.

"I used to sprint at school but I never in a million years thought we could train up to do such long runs. It’s a miracle – nearly as big a miracle as having little Lauren back with us and getting better by the day."

Redditch sales manager Rob Mellors had a double cause for celebration after not only completing his first ever half marathon but shedding four stone in the process.

The 38-year-old ran as a thank you to the hospital for its world class treatment of St Bede's Middle School pupil Rafe Walker who is friends with his daughter Megan.

Rafe is receiving treatment for an inoperable brain tumour which is currently stable and him and his family were there on the day to cheer Rob on.

His wife Sarah said he now intended to keep up his training and lose even more weight after slimming down to 17 stone.

"We’re just so proud of him," she said.

"Megan’s in the same class at St Bede’s as Rafe who is a hugely brave, determined youngster and Rob wanted to do the run for Rafe and his family who are amazing and have raised thousands for the Children’s Hospital and research into neuro-surgery despite all the uncertainty over Rafe's condition."

Rob raised more than £700 for the cause and organisers hope the final total will top last year's record of £142,000.