Ipswich Father Prepares for London Marathon to Support Vital Charity
A father from Ipswich is gearing up to take on the London Marathon, aiming to raise crucial funds for The Sick Children's Trust. This charity provided essential support to his family during a harrowing time when his newborn son required lifesaving treatment in Cambridge.
Hugo's Critical Birth and Urgent Transfer
Hugo, the son of Ben Cirne, was born in Colchester in December 2019. Upon arrival, he was not breathing, prompting immediate medical intervention. Although doctors stabilized him, they quickly identified the need for urgent specialist care to prevent potential brain damage. Within hours, Hugo was transferred over 60 miles to The Rosie Hospital in Cambridge.
At The Rosie Hospital, Hugo underwent therapeutic hypothermia, also known as cooling treatment. This involved placing him on a mattress filled with cooled water for 72 hours to lower his body temperature before gradually warming him back up. The treatment is designed to reduce the risk of brain injury following oxygen deprivation at birth.
Family Support During Crisis
While Hugo was rushed to Cambridge, his mother, Claudia Eden, had to remain in Colchester to recover from the birth. Ben, a football analyst for Oxford United FC, accompanied his newborn son in the ambulance, arriving at the hospital filled with uncertainty about the days ahead.
It was at this point that Ben learned about The Sick Children's Trust, a charity that offers a 'Home from Home' for families with seriously ill children in hospital, located just moments from their bedside. Ben was provided with a room at Chestnut House, situated two floors below the neonatal intensive care unit at The Rosie.
Ben, 33, shared: "When everything happened, it felt like the world was moving at a million miles an hour. Hugo had been taken away, there were lights flashing, people rushing around, and suddenly we were in an ambulance heading to Cambridge. I hadn't even thought about where I was going to sleep or what would happen next. Then I arrived and was greeted by someone from The Sick Children's Trust who simply said, 'Here's a room, everything is sorted.' It was such a relief."
He added: "I didn't even know charities like this existed before that moment, but having somewhere to stay so close to Hugo – and having people there who understood what families were going through – made a horrific situation so much easier to deal with."
Charity's Impact and Financial Relief
Chestnut House enabled Ben to stay near Hugo, with Claudia joining them in Cambridge as soon as she was discharged from Colchester. The charity's support, which lasted just over a week, also alleviated the financial burden of finding accommodation during an overwhelming period.
Ben explained: "Claudia was on maternity leave and I wasn't earning a lot at the time, so trying to pay for hotels and food nearby would have been incredibly difficult. The Sick Children's Trust took that worry away completely. The staff were calm, reassuring and always there if you needed someone to talk to. In a moment where everything felt uncertain, they made things feel manageable."
Hugo's Recovery and Family Life Today
Today, Hugo is a happy and thriving six-year-old attending school, with no long-term effects from the complications he faced at birth. The family feels incredibly fortunate for his recovery.
Ben said: "We consider ourselves unbelievably lucky. Hugo is doing brilliantly at school and hitting every milestone ahead of time. What happened has completely changed our outlook on life – we appreciate every single moment we have with him. He also has a little sister now, with three-year-old Phoebe adoring her big brother."
Marathon Challenge to Give Back
To express gratitude to The Sick Children's Trust, Ben will undertake the iconic 26.2-mile London Marathon on April 26, a challenge he admits is outside his comfort zone.
Ben stated: "I'm definitely not a natural runner. When I first signed up, I could barely run a kilometre without stopping. But I wanted to do something bigger to raise as much money as I possibly could for the charity. Running the marathon will be one of the toughest things I've ever done physically. But when it gets difficult, I'll be thinking about the families who are going through far worse. What I'll be doing is just a few hours of my life. For many families, the journey is so much harder."
He continued: "The atmosphere on the day will be incredible, but the biggest motivation will be knowing why I'm doing it. Raising money and awareness for The Sick Children's Trust – and hopefully helping other families stay close to their child in hospital – will get me through those final miles."
Charity's Perspective and Support
Hayley Peck, house manager at Chestnut House, commented: "Families often arrive at Chestnut House during the most frightening moments of their lives, when their child has been rushed into hospital and everything feels uncertain. Our team are here to provide a warm, supportive place for them to rest, stay close to their child and take a moment to breathe. It's wonderful to see families like Ben's continuing to support the charity years later, and we all wish him the very best of luck in the London Marathon."
