Why I’m running the London Marathon for Nottingham Children’s Hospital

When Georgie Cunningham’s son Sennen was hit by a car on his way to school, his family were relieved to find the worst of his injuries was a broken leg and nothing more serious.

However, a precautionary CT scan showed that Sennen also had a tumour on his brain, unrelated to the accident. He was referred to the children’s neurology team at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour.

Now his mum, Georgie, is running the London Marathon in aid of Nottingham Children’s Hospital, to thank staff there for their care.

Georgie said: “The care he received from the whole team was exceptional, from the bottom to the top. What was an extraordinarily terrifying time for our family was made bearable because of the kindest team that provided us and our son with support and care throughout the process, from discovery to surgery, and the ongoing care he still has today.”

Sennen, who was aged 12 at the time of his diagnosis, was cared for by Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon Donald Macarthur and his team.

Georgie said: “I can’t emphasise enough how wonderful his surgeon Mr Macarthur and his team were - they spoke to our son rather than to us, treating him like a little adult and making sure to answer any questions he had in such a way that really put him at ease.

“The nurses were fantastic too - they are so incredibly busy but always have time for you. The whole team made an absolutely terrifying time just that little bit easier to bear and we are incredibly grateful to everyone on ward E40 where Sennen was cared for.”

Sennen is now aged 15 and is doing well, and Georgie is taking on the London Marathon this weekend to raise money for the team who cared for him.

She said: “I’m starting to feel really nervous but I’ve worked hard, sticking to my training plan and only missing one or two runs in almost 16 weeks. Everyone tells me the training is the hard part and the day is the best feeling, so I’m just bursting to get to the day now!

“Training is really tough, especially when you have work and three children to juggle too! But it’s them I’m doing it for, all three were so brave through it all and it’s their courage that will get me through marathon day.”

Thank you to Georgie for taking on this incredible challenge, and good luck on the big day!

If you’d like to sponsor Georgie, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeorgierun