Novice runner runs to raise cash as a thank you for supporting friends

A novice runner is taking on the Bath Half Marathon next month in a bid to raise much-needed funds and awareness of a charity that supports the families of sick children.

Steve Brooks, 45 from Badby, Northamptonshire, will be taking on 13.2 miles in an attempt to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust to thank them for giving support to his friends, Mark and Andrea Halliman, while their little boy Finley was undergoing treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

At just one day old Finley was rushed to GOSH after doctors discovered he was suffering from a rare heart condition - Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and on day four he underwent his first open-heart surgery. Finley was treated for three weeks at the hospital before being allowed to go home; he was then readmitted to the hospital again at just four months old to start the next stage of treatment.

The Sick Children’s Trust provided the family with accommodation at its Rainbow and Guilford Street Houses, just minutes from Finley’s hospital ward, so that Mark and Andrea could focus on being with Finley in what was the worst of times.

Steve, who only began running last year taking on the Movember 5km, Clumber Park 10km and The Great South Run, is determined to make a difference to more families like the Hallimans. He says:

“Last year I managed to raise over £650 for charity and this year I hope to raise more. My first event of the year will be the Bath Half but I want to really challenge myself this year and have a number of events lined up throughout the year.”

“Fin is due to head back to GOSH for his third stage of reconstructive surgery, just a week or so after my first run of the year. So it’s going to be even more poignant because of that.”

Rainbow House Manager Sandra Williams, who supported Finley’s family, recognises the determination and support Steve has shown. She says:

“We’re so grateful Steve is taking on these challenges to help raise funds for us, even more so when he told us about the injuries he has encountered while training!

“We really appreciate the support he is showing us and we wish him all the best for the challenges ahead in sheer loyalty to Finley and his family. The money he raises will go directly towards providing vital ‘Home from Home’ accommodation to other families in the most difficult of circumstances.”

Steve will take on his first challenge of the year on 1^st March in Bath, shortly followed by two 10km events at Northampton and Silverstone in April and May. He will then return to the half marathon distance at an off-road event at Clumber Park in June, and a further two in Northampton and Oxford later this year.

If you would like to show your support for Steve, please visit his Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/Stef-Brx