My Story

We are running the 2024 London Marathon for the Sick Children’s Trust, in memory of our son Jasper Julian Lea. 

Jasper was born on 30 August 2017 by emergency c-section. During labour he had been deprived of oxygen for nearly 40 minutes and as a result was born unresponsive and in desperate need of medical care. He was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at Addenbrooke’s hospital. 

Doctors told us that Jasper might not survive the weekend. His condition was so severe that we were advised not to leave the hospital - in case we weren’t able to get back to him in time.  

That’s when the Sick Children’s Trust stepped in to help us. The Sick Children's Trust provide free, high-quality, ‘Home from Home’ accommodation on site in hospitals around the UK.

They offered us the chance to stay close to Jasper, with facilities to sleep, wash and feed ourselves and importantly somewhere we could take George and Freddie when they visited their baby brother. 

Chestnut House - the Sick Children’s Trust’s accommodation at Addenbrooke’s - was our home for six weeks. It allowed us to stay by Jasper’s bedside while he remained desperately ill and then while he started to recover. It meant that even though Jasper couldn’t be at home with his family, we could bring his family to him.

As a result of the complications with his birth Jasper suffered severe brain damage. He couldn’t walk, talk or feed himself. His life was often difficult and challenging and his health was always unstable. 

But he brought new wonders to our lives. His bravery and determination were humbling. His calm patience and gentle soul exquisite. His laugh and smile a bright light that shone on us all.

He was loved by all of our family and friends who helped and supported us unconditionally.

Adored by George and Freddie who delighted in their little brother and bathed him with love and cuddles. 

And to us, just perfection. Our darling, beautiful, little boy.

Jasper died of pneumonia aged just 2 years old on 22 September 2019. 

Our time with Jasper was much too short. Looking back, those 6 weeks in Addenbrooke’s hospital, while an emotional rollercoaster at the time, have become a memory filled with happiness. 

It was the time when we watched our brave little boy fight for his life and slowly, gradually get strong enough to come home. 

It was the time when we began to understand and accept the very different life that Jasper would have and the joys and the sadness that would bring. 

It was the time when we started to witness his ability to defy and overcome expectations placed upon him.

But most importantly it was the time when we first got to know the amazing boy that Jasper was.

Supporting the Sick Children’s Trust will help families like ours throughout the UK. Families who have so many things to worry about, that finding a way to stay close to your child when they need you shouldn’t be one of them.

£30 will support a family for one night.

£60 will support a family for one weekend.

£210 will support a family for one week