Wakefield friends run Great North Run in honour of two special little boys

News release – 6th September 2016

A team of four friends from Wakefield are taking on the challenge of the world’s largest half marathon, the Great North Run, in honour of two very special little boys.

Joanne Lancaster, Clare Pullan, Natalie Tunney and Louise Poole decided to team up and make a difference to two charities that supported these two little boys.

Joanne’s son, Toby, was born with a serious heart condition that was not detected until he went into heart failure.

Joanne says, “Toby was rushed to intensive care when he was 8 weeks old. This was the start of a turbulent period with Toby undergoing emergency heart surgery and we nearly lost him on several occasions. If Toby’s heart defect had been discovered prenatally then he would have been monitored more and we may not have been in a position where we nearly lost him.  Tiny Tickers has been training sonographers across Yorkshire over the past year so that they are better able to identify these heart conditions during pregnancy scans. It is vital, life-saving work and I’m delighted to be running for them, and Martin House Children’s Hospice who has looked after Toby every step of the way.”

Toby is now 9 years old. Joanne continues “Toby is an absolute star, he is resilient, determined and very brave. His zest for life is captivating and his pure joy in the ordinary is humbling. He’s taught us lots!”

Clare’s nephew, Arthur, was born with a life-limiting condition and was looked after by the amazing staff at Martin House Children’s Hospice until he sadly passed away at only a few days old.

Clare says, “Arthur went to spend his final days at Martin House and the team looked after him and our whole extended family with care and compassion. We will be forever grateful for the care we received during that heartbreaking time.”

The team are hoping to raise over £2,500 for Tiny Tickers and Martin House. To sponsor them, please visit  Toby’s Amigos Fundraising Page