Ivy and mum Chelsea completed the Mini Great North Run in 2025 in support of The Great North Children’s Hospital after the care little brother, Arlo received. Here Chelsea shares her story and why she and Ivy chose to fundraise.

“Our son, Arlo was born in May 2024. At ten days old he was taken into Cramlington Hospital after he was unable to breathe and feed and was then transferred to The Great North Children’s Hospital where he was cared for, for a week.

   

“It was such a scary time for us all as I was readmitted to hospital with a secondary PPH and being in one hospital with our baby in another was unbearable. My husband, James, stayed with Arlo in the GNCH and I visited every day when I was able to be discharged myself. This was also a worrying time for Ivy, who was 3 at the time, and was suddenly away from her mam, dad and new baby brother.

“The hospital cared for Arlo brilliantly and always made us feel welcome and kept us informed of his progress. Thankfully he is now safe and well thanks to their amazing care. We will be forever grateful for the care and support at such a scary time. Ivy wanted to say thank you to the doctors and nurses for saving her brother and wanted to help other poorly babies and children by running the Mini GNR to raise money to support the hospital.”

We are so grateful to our fundraisers like Ivy and YOU who choose to support us and help us make a difference to the lives of thousands of children, young people, their families and our staff at The Great North Children’s Hospital.

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