A Harrogate mum is taking on next year's London Marathon for the hospital that saved her daughter's life.
Charlie Coupland will run the 2027 event to raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital after her daughter Lilly became critically ill with Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) in March.
Lilly, who was just one at the time, was transferred from Harrogate Hospital to Sheffield by the specialist Embrace ambulance service.
Charlie said the ambulance had to stop twice so staff could carry out life-saving procedures.
She said:
“We went to bed in March of this year with a healthy, happy child and woke up the next day in a world we naively never knew existed outside of news articles and things you’d hear on the news.
"A world of intensive care units, ventilators, alarms, machines, medication and words you never imagined you would hear connected to your own child.”
Lilly needed life support and specialist equipment to help her struggling kidneys.
Charlie said the experience highlighted how fundraising helps provide equipment and facilities for critically ill children.
She said:
“Miracles don't happen without the incredible skill of the people who dedicate their lives to saving children, without pioneering research, without life-saving equipment and without hospitals having access to the very best facilities and technology available.”
When Lilly was woken up, her parents faced further uncertainty as she initially did not recognise them.
Charlie said they spent a week trying to rebuild her trust while waiting to find out whether this was caused by brain damage or withdrawal from medication.
The hospital also provided psychological support to help the family cope with what they had experienced.
Lilly survived, but Charlie said she will need lifelong monitoring.
Despite not being a runner, Charlie is now preparing to take on the marathon to help other families who need the hospital’s care.
She said:
“If you can donate, share this page or simply support me along the way, it would mean more to our family than you could ever know.”
At the time of publication, Charlie has raised just over £1,000 towards her £3,000 target for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
Would you like to support Charlie's campaign? Donations can be made through her fundraising page on Enthuse.
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