Durham Dad Takes on London Marathon To Say 'Thanks!'

A devoted dad from Durham is lacing up his running shoes for this year’s iconic London Marathon to raise vital funds for The Sick Children’s Trust – the charity that provided his family with a lifeline when they needed it most.

Lee Thomas, who lives in Durham but has his roots in London, is taking on the 26.2-mile challenge to give back to the charity that supported him and his wife, Caroline, during the most difficult time of their lives. Following the premature birth of their son Alfie in November 2022, The Sick Children’s Trust provided the couple with a place to stay at their ‘Homes from Home’ in Newcastle, keeping them close to their seriously ill baby while he received specialist treatment for a heart condition.

Lee and Caroline’s journey began when a routine pregnancy scan revealed Alfie had Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT), a rare and serious heart condition. Alfie was born six weeks early at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The couple were terrified, facing a rollercoaster of emotions as they navigated an unfamiliar hospital environment and the overwhelming uncertainty of their baby’s health.

With Caroline still recovering from caesarean section, Lee struggled with the idea of being apart from his newborn son. Determined to stay close, he booked a hotel room in Newcastle but found himself unable to rest before a nurse kindly introduced them to The Sick Children’s Trust and Crawford House, a ‘Home from Home’ just a short walk from the hospital ward. Thanks to this support, Lee and Caroline were able to stay near Alfie without the financial and emotional strain of hotel stays and long commutes from their Durham home.

The support from The Sick Children’s Trust didn’t end there. Just days before Christmas, Alfie’s condition worsened, requiring an emergency transfer to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for specialist heart care. Once again, the charity stepped in, offering them a place to stay at their Scott House ‘Home from Home’. Over 21 days, the couple found solace, support, and a sense of community among other parents facing similar challenges.

Now, with Alfie thriving and awaiting what is expected to be his final medical clearance this month, Lee is determined to give back by running the London Marathon.

“I previously ran the London Marathon in 2018, but this time it’s about so much more than just the race,” said Lee, 36. “The Sick Children’s Trust provided us with a lifeline when we needed it the most. Their ‘Homes from Home’ meant we could be by Alfie’s side throughout his treatment without worrying about where to stay or how to afford it. Running and raising funds for them is my way of saying thank you.”

Despite battling injuries during training, Lee remains committed to the challenge, driven by the memory of how The Sick Children’s Trust helped his family.

“The ability to be close to your child during their health struggles is something you don’t truly understand until you’re in that position. The peace of mind it gives you, the chance to rest and recharge - it makes all the difference,” Lee explained. “The decision to run and raise money was an easy one knowing how much good it does.”

Lee – who has already raised more than £1,400 of his £2,500 target – admits that without The Sick Children’s Trust, he and Caroline would have faced enormous financial and emotional hurdles. “Without their support, we’d have been forced into expensive hotel stays, all while being further from Alfie and unable to respond immediately if something went wrong. I honestly don’t know how we would have coped.”

Thankfully, Alfie has made a remarkable recovery and continues to go from strength to strength. “He’s doing amazingly well,” Lee shared. “We’re now just waiting for what we hope will be his final consultant appointment. It’s scheduled for 11 April – just days before the marathon – so that’ll be my final push of motivation heading into race day.”

The Sick Children’s Trust has been providing families with a warm and welcoming place to stay near children’s hospital wards for over 40 years, ensuring that parents can stay close to their seriously ill children at no cost. The charity relies entirely on donations to keep their ‘Homes from Home’ running.

Lee’s marathon fundraising efforts will go directly towards supporting more families like his, helping parents stay together with their sick children when they need it the most.

To support Lee Thomas in his London Marathon journey and donate to The Sick Children’s Trust, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/lee-thomas-1721681480246.

For more information about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit sickchildrenstrust.org.