Jessica Running Her First Marathon in London to Say Thank You for Son’s Life Saving Surgery
Jessica Hamer is running her first marathon and London Marathon on the 3 October to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
She is taking part to say “thank you” to Great Ormond Street Hospital who performed life-saving heart surgery on her child Ethan when he was 6 months old. Ethan also has a twin, Rose, who has a healthy heart. The London marathon has been postponed twice already, so training has been on and off, and especially hard to work around two small children.
Jessica said, “Ethan was in and out of hospital for the first six months. Those days were the hardest days but the day we let him be put to sleep, whilst holding him and knowing that his tiny heart would be stopped and his little body put on bypass, was the hardest of all. The only reassurance we had was knowing that he was in the best possible place. That every day, doctors and nurses battle the most complex illnesses and the brightest minds come together to achieve pioneering medical breakthroughs. Because of these breakthroughs and the brave people that ensure they happen, surgery for conditions like Ethan’s are now possible. This extraordinary hospital has always depended on charitable support to give seriously ill children the best possible chance to fulfil their potential. I will be forever grateful that Ethan was able to come home and to grow up with his sister.”
“I am taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon to raise vital funds to support the work of Great Ormond Street Hospital. To make sure lives of babies and children continue to be saved. It will be a tough challenge; the training will be hard to fit in and I feel cold just thinking about heading out in the cold dark evenings to run – I don’t do being cold very well! But if it means that Great Ormond Street Hospital has the funds to continue doing its fantastic work, then it will all be worthwhile.”
Laura Savory, Head of Community Events at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity said: “We’re so grateful to Jessica for her generosity and support. The money raised will help to make a difference to seriously ill children from across the UK.”
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jessicasmarathonforgosh
