Shropshire man in sponsored walk to thank hospital for saving son’s life
A Shropshire father is to complete a sponsored walk of 23 miles to represent the 23 days his son spent in Intensive Care.
Adam Cheshire was born on 25 March 2011 at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Just twelve hours later he was fighting for his life. Infected by Group B Strep with Meningitis, Adam stopped breathing and was put on a ventilator, had constant seizures, a dangerously high fever and was expected to die. Even if he survived, his parents were warned of numerous complications ranging from brain injury to cerebral palsy to epilepsy among others.
A rare complication of childbirth left his mother, Charlotte Cheshire, virtually paralysed and so unable to visit her son in Neo Natal Intensive Care. All she could do was wait and pray as her son fought for his life. However, thanks to the skill and tireless efforts of the Neo Natal staff at the hospital, Adam’s life was saved. Though left deaf by the illness, Adam was discharged on 18th April and is now a happy, healthy baby.
On 6th August, as a way of saying thank you for saving his son’s life, Chris Cheshire will complete a sponsored walk of 23 miles to represent the 23 days Adam spent in Intensive Care. Starting the day by climbing the Wrekin twice at a height of 1,335 feet, Chris will then walk from the Wrekin to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in a total of twelve hours. Adam’s nine-year-old brother, George, will also be completing a 5 mile sponsored walk on 9th July.
“It will be a huge challenge for me - I’m no athlete,” says Chris, “but it’s the least I can do to say thank you. The Neo Natal staff were amazing with Adam and also in caring for us as parents as we faced the likelihood that our son would die. That he lived is testimony to their skill and dedication in caring for sick children.”
“My goal is to receive sponsorship of £1,000 for the Neo Natal Unit. It’s a huge target but as my office have agreed to match any sponsorship money up to the value of £1,000 I’d love to reach that level if possible. However anything I can raise would be fantastic.”
All funds raised will be donated to the Neo Natal Unit of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. You can sponsor Chris in person or by visiting: www.justgiving.com/walkingforadam
Group B Strep is the most common cause of infant death in the UK. Up to 700 babies per year are infected with 75 dying and another 40 survivors left with problems yet this condition can be prevented simply, safely and easily. Group B Strep Support is a charity campaigning for greater awareness of this infection and information to be given to pregnant women across the UK. More information on Group B Strep can be found on their website: www.gbss.org.uk
To read Adam’s complete story, please visit: www.walkingforadam.blogspot.com
