I am raising money for Cots for Tots which is a charity dedicated to supporting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in St Michaels Hospital, Bristol. 

My son Tomás Patrick O'Loughlin (little Tommy) has been at this hospital since March 28th 2016 when he transferred up from Southmead's NICU ward at 3 days old. His mum Hannah and I have witnessed first hand the amazing things that they do on this Unit day in and day out. It needs to be seen to be believed and we will be forever indebted to NICU and its incredible staff for caring and continuing to care for our sick little boy.

Tomás was  born on 25th March 2016 at 35.5 weeks following a normal pregnancy until Hannah alerted Southmead to some reduced Fetal movement which resulted in an Emergency Caesarean after a 2 night stay at Southmead.

Immediately after being born he was whisked down to Southmead's NICU to help support his breathing but also with a swollen/distended tummy. What followed was 3 days of tests to try and ascertain a diagnosis and a transfer to St Michaels NICU where he was to be assessed for surgery following increased swelling in his tummy. Following the transfer we were advised on Easter Monday that Tomás did not require surgery. We were instead advised by an Oncology Consultant that Tomás had a form of Leukaemia (Transient Abnormal Myelpoesis or TAM for short) which can only occur in babies with Trisomy 21 more commonly known as Down Syndrome. It was this combination that was also causing huge complications around his blood, liver and spleen and the trigger for all of his problems. In addition the Cardiologist has also advised that he has an ASD which is a small hole in his heart.

After hearing this news, we then consented for Tomás to commence a course of Chemotherapy beginning that day.

The type of Leukaemia Tommy has, has a 20% fatality rate and a 20% to 30% rate of reoccurrence but in his short life to date and what he has experienced already; we know he is up for the challenges that lie ahead. It looks as though his life will be centred around regular trips to Bristol Children's Hospital to support him through his battle with Leukaemia and all of his other associated problems.

At time of writing this, Tommy is 1 month old today and what a month it has been for all of us! With his continued determination and defiance of this awful illness and associated conditions that he has and with the wonderful medical care and support of NICU we are counting down the days until we can take him home and begin family life as it should be. It is at this point that we will begin to tackle the challenges that Down Syndrome will inevitably throw at us.

As mentioned earlier, Cots for Tots is the registered charity supporting the NICU and Cots for Tots House which is a facility provided for families that do not live in the locality to be near their sick children. We did not require this facility but know from speaking with other parents how important this is to them. The money raised for Cots for Tots supports the amazing work of the units staff, helping save the lives of the sickest babies in Bristol, Bath, the South West of England and South Wales. 

I was already registered to run the Edinburgh Marathon prior to Tomás being born but such is the turn of events I have felt compelled to try and fundraise for Cots for Tots.

My race partner Jonjo Miskella has also recently become a father for the first time to his beautiful daughter Anna Nancy and when we spoke about the marathon he was in full support of including Cots for Tots as recipients for the money that we raise between us. I am grateful for his support although I have fears I may be carrying him come the end.....!

This will be my fourth marathon I have done but Jonjo's first. I was a young, handsome whippersnapper back in 2005 when I completed the London Marathon and have completed 2 more London's since then (coincidentally all for Children with Leukaemia) with my best time registered at 3hours 26minutes. Whilst Jonjo is a first timer he is a veteran on the local circuit and you may very often see the grey quiff trundling around the streets of BS7 while he pants for oxygen. It is safe to say that training was going slowly for us both anyway until Tommy arrived. Since then training has fallen off of a cliff for myself and Jonjo didn't need much motivation to take his foot off the training accelerator! His partner Kristen genuinely has concerns for his life! With a little over a month to go; your fund raising will give Jonjo and I the motivation to get over the line....or just survive!

I only ask that anyone who reads this and has children themselves, grandchildren, ambitions for children one day or even young nieces or nephews takes a moment to think how important NICU would be to them and their lives if they should ever require the help of the unit? I certainly never thought I would have a very sick child like this but in the space of 1 month the work and expertise of these people has become one of the most important things in my families life. By donating money, you are directly helping strengthen NICU and their services even more to enable them to help save the lives of more special little babies.

Dig deep all! You know this is an amazing cause!!! xxx