Bristol baby overcomes Sepsis
The courageous fight of a Bristol baby to overcome the life- threatening condition of Sepsis has inspired his parents to launch a major fundraising campaign for Southmead Hospital by taking part in a sponsored run at the Shepton Mallet 10k in October.
Sebastian Harding contracted Sepsis when he was born at Southmead Hospital in December of last year. Sepsis is a life- threatening condition that is caused by an inflammatory immune response in the body triggered by an infection. It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and even death. 250,000 cases of Sepsis are recorded in the UK each year, with babies are more at risk to Sepsis as they have a vulnerable immune system.
Sebastian was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Bristol’s Southmead hospital with breathing difficulties, a deeply traumatic event for Sebastian and his parents Daniel and Sheena. Sheena says it was an experience she will never forget; “The next few days were hard and I will never get the image of our poorly boy’s chest going up and down at 70 times a minute with oxygen saturations to match. He’s a true fighter and fought off his infection but after losing cannula after cannula he was left with a large extravasation injury to his tiny foot. Sebastian has been left with a long scar around his ankle, which he is now under the care of the Scar Management Team at the Bristol Children's hospital.”
The couple hope to raise £2000 for the Southmead NICU and the Bristol Paediatric Scar Management team and they will be part of a group of 22 runners who will be raising money on behalf of Sebastian at the 1610 Shepton Mallet 10k on October 27. Sebastian’s father Daniel is an experienced runner and he decided that the Shepton Mallet 10k would be the ideal event for their cause; “The Shepton Mallet 10k is a more challenging 10k as it has some hilly terrain but we are a group of mixed abilities and we are good friends and we will help one another out. The money raised will be split 50/50 between and the NICU and the Scar Management team. They NHS staff who looked after Sebastian did a fantastic job and we just want to give something back.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to the campaign should visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/teamseb10k. The team is being sponsored by the Treatment Room at 152 and the Riverside Leisure Club.
The race which is the final fixture in the 1610 Race Series will start and finish at Collett Park in the centre of Shepton Mallett, the route leads runners across the park before crossing Charlton Road and continues past the town’s famous prison. It weaves through the town’s streets before moving on onto scenic country lanes. It’s a picturesque route all on tarmac - with two challenging hills along the way! Runners of all abilities are welcome at the event.
For more information about this event, please contact us at raceseries@1610.org.uk or on 03300 58 1610.