Son's sepsis fight inspires marathon attempt

A couple from Bedworth say they are determined to finish the London Marathon for their son, after he fell critically ill at 11 months old.

Baby Ritchie was rushed to hospital in 2023 with sepsis and had a seizure and three cardiac arrests while doctors tried to save him.

He eventually had to have an arm amputated as part of his treatment.

Parents Libby and George said: "If he can fight through all of the challenges that have been sent his way in just four short years, we can put on those running shoes and fight through 26.2 miles."

Warning: Some people may find a photo in this article disturbing

Until Mother's Day 2023, Ritchie was a healthy baby but that changed suddenly.

Libby said he had suffered a stomach bug but was recovering when he became lethargic and was struggling to breathe.

"We called 111 and they sent an ambulance and it was the paramedics who first mentioned sepsis," she said.

He was taken to Coventry's University Hospital first but continued to deteriorate over the following days, twice having to be resuscitated before he was stable enough to be transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"We were told 'we think he'll make the drive, but if he doesn't, you get out and stand by the hard shoulder'. So, that drive was one of the longest drives we've ever experienced," Libby said.

"It was absolutely heartbreaking"

After days of intensive care, Ritchie suffered a third cardiac arrest and his parents were forced to watch as he was resuscitated again.

Doctors decided that, in order to save his life he would need to have his arm amputated.

Libby said: "It was a no-brainer for us that we would at least give it a try, and after his amputation, clinically he got well again very quickly."

Ritchie is now a happy, health four-year-old boy and his mum said he was definitely their motivation behind running Sunday's London Marathon.

"He's so determined and so stubborn, but in the best way. He doesn't let his amputation stop him at all," the 27-year-old smiled.

"He will be a massive driving force behind everything we do on Sunday. If he can get through everything that has been thrown in his direction then I think we'll be absolutely fine to finish 26.2 miles."

The parents have been taking it in turns to go out for training runs, but admitted they have struggled to find the time to practice around working full-time and caring for Ritchie.

Libby is a secondary school teacher and George is the general manager at the Physical Activity Hub in Bedworth, and both also work as lifeguards.

But, despite working long hours the couple said they had to make it work because it means so much to them:

Libby said: "We are so passionate and we care so deeply about Birmingham Children's Hospital after what they did for Ritchie that we can't not find the time to do it.

"Because it's the only way we feel we can give back for everything that they've done for us."

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