Baby’s lifesaving care inspires run (From Gazette & Herald)

Andy Fox to take part in Great North Run in aid of Grace Research Fund

11:05am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News

A NEW father is taking part in his first Great North Run to raise funds for the charity which helped his seriously ill baby survive.

Andy Fox, who is originally from Malton , is supporting the Grace Research Fund, which supports research into the causes of premature births and the best forms of neo-natal care.

His wife, Sarah, gave birth to their daughter, Erin, three weeks early by emergency caesarean at Warwick Hospital in February.

They were then transferred to the University Hospital, Coventry, where Erin was cooled for three days using the latest specialist medical equipment.

Andy said running the Great North Run was a way to say thank-you to all the staff at both hospitals.

“Erin received a total of eight days of first class, life-saving treatment from the neo-natal unit which has given her the best chance for the future,” he said.

“She was cooled for three days in a special suit which helped to reduce any further damage to her brain.”

Andy said the consultants, doctors and nurses at Warwick and Coventry hospitals were amazing.

“They saved the lives of Erin and Sarah and provided us with first class care and support. We owe them so much, we will always be thankful for everything they have done for us,” he said.

“So far Erin is doing well and is behaving like any other five month old baby and she will be monitored for the next few years.”

Andy, a telecoms engineer who lives in Solihull, attended Malton’s schools and played football for Amotherby, Old Malton and the Bacon Factory clubs in the 1990s.

His parents now live at Howsham and his uncle Derek, owns Fox’s Butchers in Malton Market Place.

“I moved to the Midlands in 2000 and now work in Warwick and live in Solihull where my wife Sarah is from, but I regularly come back to see my family and friends in Malton,” Andy said.

“I hope people who know me locally will support me as the Grace Research Fund carries out a lot of research into caring for premature babies and raising money in the Great North Run is my way of giving something back.”

Dr Andy Coe, consultant paediatrician at University Hospital, said Andy was among a quintet of runners taking part in the Great North Run for the charity on September 16.

He said: “We are grateful to Andy who is giving up his time to train ahead of running the 13-mile course when he will be proudly wearing his Grace Research Fund t-shirt.

“We are always grateful to parents like Andy who support the charity and all fundraising efforts are always well received because we rely entirely on donations.

“All the money raised will enable the charity to maintain its excellent work to improve the wellbeing of families and their children in Coventry and Warwickshire and we wish all five runners the best of luck and health in completing the course.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting Andy’s webpage at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyFox