The cause

The Paediatric High Dependency Unit (PHDU) at Southampton General Hospital treat patients from discharge at birth (day old) to 18 years old.

The unit is run at full capacity most of the time with six beds and four staff caring for patients twenty four hours a day.

Most patients have ventilation issues with some needing long term ventilation support. The PHDU rely on specialist equipment to ensure patients receive the care they so desperately need.

New born babies on the unit, too poorly to breast feed, get the essential nutrients from breast milk via a breast pump costing £1500.

Portable Stat machines costing £800 are required by every bed side to monitor patients at all times. PHDU are currently fundraising for these crucial items and need all the support they can get.

The reason

As a child Andy suffered with severe asthma but was fortunate to grow out of it by the age of seven. Three of Andy’s children have asthma too but it’s his son Jude who’s suffered the most.

Two years ago, it got a little more serious. After calling 999, Jude was rushed into hospital. The resuscitation team did a fantastic job of bringing his oxygen levels under control and he went on to spend seven days in the PHDU at Southampton General.

Jude is really well now and to show his appreciation for all the amazing help and support from the PHDU, Andy’s committed to this challenge to raise funds to purchase the essential equipment to help save children’s lives.

Andy was inspired to run the challenge barefoot after reading the book – Barefoot Boy by John Edgar Mann

Andy McGhee

Southampton Hospital Charity aims to enhance the world class facilities provided at Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne maternity Hospital. They have over 350 funds, so money raised from this event will go directly to the PHDU fund. Charity registration number: 1051543

The Challenge

Sept 21st - 27th 2015

Running one marathon is a big challenge for most people, running seven marathons in seven days begins to push the boundaries of what is physically possible.

The team are all good runners so the challenge needed to push them to the limit and really mean something. Andy wanted to take it to the next level and suggested seven marathons in seven days, barefoot style.

The unprepared roads and trails of the UK are not particularly friendly to bare feet. Andy is wearing a very thin sole of rubber, attached with a basic lace to protect him from broken glass and the like. These soles are much thinner than an average flip flop, more like tying a bike tyre to the bottom of your feet.

Supplied by Xero Shoes, these are the closest sole to being completely barefoot on the market.

Xero Shoes are a modern spin on the traditional barefoot running sandal — durable, stylish and affordable — and so light and low-profile it’s like you’re not wearing anything. Xero Shoes are effectively a hi-tech update of huaraches (tyres and string) worn by Tarahumara in Mexico.

Does that make a difference? – it really does. On Andy’s first training run he only made 2.2 miles barefoot and walked like the ‘tin-man’ for a few days after. This challenge will really stretch him as well as the team running alongside him. They will be wearing shoes but they have never run consecutive marathons before.

Run with the team or help

Run with the team – The team will be running a series marathons for the main event. Running with like minded people will be fun and help motivate the team for the big challenge. You can join the team for the main event too and run a leg, it’s a great opportunity to do something different and raise money for a great cause. Note: you can wear shoes! Contact us here

Donating and Fundraising – If you’d like to run with us, you too can fundraise by asking colleagues, friends and family to sponsor you. You can also help with your own fundraiser, cup-cake sale or auction etc. If you’d prefer to support the team and donate, you can sponsor the team at JustGiving.

In-kind – The team will travelling a long distance during the seven day challenge so support with transprt and accomadtion is greatly appreciated. Contact us here if you’d like to help.

£9743

£10000

Current Total

Target

donate »