A Workington father is set to run the Great North Run to raise funds for the charity that supported his family during his son's six month hospital stay.
Mark Routledge will take on the 13.1-mile course this Sunday (September 8) to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust.
His son Archie, now nine, was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation which causes hereditary pancreatitis, a severe condition that leads to inflammation of the pancreas.
It also carries significant abdominal pain and a heightened risk of pancreatic cancer in later life.
Archie underwent a life-saving operation on April 30, becoming the youngest person in the UK to have his pancreas removed and his insulin-producing cells transplanted in a single procedure.
He spent six months in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, unable to eat and reliant on a drip for nutrition.
The operation was carried out during a 'small window of time' when the pancreas had slightly recovered.
The specialist team at the RVI’s Great North Children’s Hospital performed the 15-hour procedure, removing the pancreas and harvesting the insulin-secreting islet cells, then reinfusing those cells back into the liver to find a home, helping to manage blood sugar levels by producing insulin.
The Sick Children’s Trust supported Mr Routledge and his wife Emma during Archie's time in hospital.
They stayed at the charity's Crawford House, just two minutes from the hospital, which allowed them to be by Archie’s side throughout his treatment.
Mr Routledge said: "To have a place to stay next to the hospital when so far away from home during such a stressful time was the most amazing lifeline for our family.
"The Sick Children’s Trust relieved the financial stress and worry of finding somewhere to stay and could not have been more supportive throughout Archie’s ordeal.
"We were a long way from home, so to have a place where we could look after ourselves so we could be at our best for Archie was so important and we are so grateful for that."
Mr Routledge is now preparing to run the Great North Run as a way of giving back to the charity that helped his family.
He said: "I have chosen to take on the Great North Run to give back to a charity that means so much to our family.
"It has had a huge impact on our lives, keeping us together through such a difficult time.
"We are doing everything we can to help support this brilliant charity, so they can continue to provide help for families in times of need."
The family have also received support from their community, with Workington Town and Seaton Amateur Rugby Clubs both organising events to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust.
Mr Routledge said: "Collectively, they have raised over £10,000 for the charity, which will ensure that Crawford House can offer other families the same wonderful support that we received."
After six months of being away, the family were finally able to bring Archie back to Workington.
He is now adjusting back to life at home and taking medication.
Archie's mum said: "Being away from home and our daughter, Halle, with the stress of fighting for the operation was a really tough time for our family.
"We are beyond relieved that we no longer need to fight the battle of pancreatitis and Archie can live his life pain free.
"We hope that the breakthroughs in this surgery enable other children suffering from pancreatitis to recover and carry on with their lives."
To donate to the fundraiser, visit the Great North Run website.
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