CHARITY WALK: Couple to raise funds for unit that saved son’s life
Sam Dodson whose parents have organised a charity walk in his name for the second year running - Credit: Archant
A COUPLE whose son’s life was saved by medics at two hospitals are once again taking steps to raise funds for their neo-natal units.
Kaeron and Roy Dodson, from Bluegate, Godmanchester, were told their newborn, Sam, might not survive a week after arriving 12 weeks prematurely and suffering a bleed on his brain.
But the intervention of staff at both Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, meant he survived – and his parents say he is continuing to make positive improvements.
As a way of repaying the hospitals for their efforts, in May last year Mr and Mrs Dodson organised Sam’s Walk, a 23-mile route from Addenbrooke’s to The Exhibition pub in Godmanchester.
Nearly 50 people took part and helped to raise more than £10,000.
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The pair are repeating the fundraiser next month, with proceeds going to the Special Care Baby Unit at Hinchingbrooke and The Rosie Hospital Campaign at Addenbrooke’s.
They already have more than 40 people signed up and are looking forward to the walk. “By the time Sam’s Walk 2013 starts he will be two-years-old,” said Mr Dodson.
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“He is progressing and his neurosurgeon is happy with him. She won’t see him again for two years unless she needs to.
“Sam has settled in to Clarence House Nursery three days a week where he receives one-to-one care and support.
“The team at Clarence House are amazing with him. He has had short stays in Holly Ward at Hinchingbrooke but these were precautionary.”
The couple, who have another son, Thomas, eight, were keen to organise a second walk and plan to make it an annual event. Mr Dodson said: “We decided to keep going because we had a lot of people saying ‘Are we doing it again this year?’
“Almost everyone knows someone who has had a child in the special care baby unit, especially Hinchingbrooke.”
INFORMATION: The walk will start at Addenbrooke’s Hospital at 8.45am on Saturday, June 8, with a bus courtesy of Stagecoach taking walkers from Godmanchester to the start.
If you would like to join the walk, e-mail samswalk@live.co.uk or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/teams/SamsWalk2013
