Dad to run Brighton and London marathons to raise money for Sick Children's Trust

Daniel Roche aims to complete the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 14 and the Virgin Money London Marathon two weeks later, in a bid to raise £2,500 for The Sick Children’s Trust.

The trust offered the 31-year-old and his partner, Tara, accommodation near to the Royal London Children’s Hospital, where son Hayden was being treated for pyloric stenosis, an uncommon condition which blocks food from entering the small intestine.

Mr Roche, from Leigh, said: “With our only child in hospital our whole world had been turned upside down, but thanks to The Sick Children’s Trust we were given our own room, just minutes from where Hayden was recovering from surgery.

“This meant we could be together as a family and both see Hayden at any time we wanted, day or night, without having to make the two hour round trip to and from the hospital.”

At a few weeks old, Hayden was having problems keeping his feeds down and his parents took him to Southend Hospital. He was then transferred to the London hospital for the emergency corrective surgery.

Thankfully, Hayden has made a full recovery and began school last September for the first time.

Mr Roche, who is hoping to complete both marathons in three and a half hours, said: “We feel very lucky to have been supported in free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation and understand that many other families do not have that opportunity.

“That’s why I would love to raise as much money as I can for The Sick Children’s Trust, a charity that recognises a family needs to be just minutes away from their seriously ill child.

“At a time when your life is in turmoil they offered us the opportunity to stay together as a family.

“I am really stuck into my training programme and up to 18 mile runs already. My fundraising drive is also going well. Even Hayden is helping me raise money to hit my target.” To help reach his £2,500 target, donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-roche5?utm_id=25