Mum laces up trainers for a second year to thank The Sick Children's Trust

Kayleigh Crann, 28, will be lacing up her trainers in just a few weeks’ time as she attempts to complete the Great North Run in the hope of raising hundreds of pounds for The Sick Children’s Trust.

When Kayleigh’s son, Theo, was born four-weeks prematurely at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Hospital (RVI) in 2010, The Sick Children’s Trust provided her with free, on-site accommodation at the hospital in Crawford House. Theo has a rare condition which meant his intestines had developed outside the abdominal wall, leaving them open to the air. The condition – Gastroschisis – affects just 1 in 3000 babies and as a result, Theo had to spend three weeks in Paediatric Intensive Care undergoing specialist treatment and a further five weeks on the ward to recover.

Throughout all of this, Kayleigh was able to stay right by his side thanks to Crawford House – a ‘Home from Home’ located just minutes from the children’s ward. Kayleigh says:

“Almost five years have passed but I am still so grateful to The Sick Children’s Trust for the help they gave me. There were lots of different factors which could have meant Theo fighting alone at times. We had a bad winter that year, so it would have been nearly impossible for me to have been with him. Theo is now a thriving four-year-old and doing extremely well. I’m so proud of how strong he is.”

Kayleigh is looking forward to race day, and she will be joined by partner Luke who will support her throughout the race. However, she knows that doing it last year doesn’t mean this year won’t be tough. She says:

“Last year was a challenge, and I expect this year to be a challenge too! I haven’t managed to get in much training as I’m working and also looking after Theo – but I am managing to get a least one run in a week and a gym class which I am hoping will see me through.”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ supporting over 3,500 nationwide. Crawford House is one of two ‘Homes from Home’ located in Newcastle, the other, Scott House supports Freeman Hospital. Gail Stonley, Crawford House Manager, says:

“It’s great to see Kayleigh running for us again this year. She did a superb job last year and we are all rooting for her again this year. She is really doing us proud and we are so thankful she has decided to tackle those miles again!”

If you would like to support Kayleigh on her fundraising, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Kayl-luke