A little girl who overcame meningitis as a baby is among the first people set to take part in a 5km walk around London’s Southbank to raise money for Evelina London Children’s Charity this weekend.
The inaugural Remarkable Race, on Sunday 5 July, will see hundreds of fundraisers complete a loop along the Thames that takes in views of Big Ben and the London Eye, giving families the opportunity to be involved in a fundraising walk regardless of age or physical ability.
Participants will also pass Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where 3-year-old Alana Holman was first treated at just one week old.
Parents Clint and Kerry, from Sittingbourne in Kent, took baby Alana to their local hospital after she seemed cold and lethargic. Staff quickly made the decision to transfer her to Evelina London for specialist treatment.
Alana was then transported by the South Thames Retrieval Service, which is part funded by Evelina London Children’s Charity.
“They worked so quickly,” Clint said. “As soon as we got to Evelina London, she was on all these different machines within minutes of being on the ward. It was touch and go and if it wasn’t for them working so hard in those first few days, she wouldn’t be here.”
Alana was immediately brought into the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where she was diagnosed with meningitis. Initial diagnosis proved challenging in Alana’s case as her symptoms presented abnormally at first. After her diagnosis, further tests showed that Alana was also suffering from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood, as well as seizures that had been hard to spot in a baby as young as Alana.
While Alana’s older brother Caleb was looked after by grandparents at home, Clint and Kerry were able to stay next to Evelina London in Ronald McDonald House, which is also partially funded by Evelina London Children’s Charity.
Clint said: “It was reassuring being so close and knowing that at any point we could walk up to the hospital and it was fine to sit with Alana for an hour or so. Sometimes we’d wake in the night and go to see her. It meant the world.”
Three years later, Alana still receives ongoing monitoring with potential surgeries in the future, but Clint says she is a happy, bouncy little girl.
He said: “She’s still under cardiology and neurology, and we know what to look for as she matures and grows up, but if you didn’t know what she has been through, you’d never guess.”
Dr Sophia Yong, Consultant Paediatric Interventional Cardiologist at Evelina London, said:
“It’s fantastic to see Alana doing so well and able to take part in this exciting new event after coming to us in such a critical condition.
“Our teams work incredibly hard to give our patients and their families the very best care we can, and often that is made possible thanks to the facilities and support funded by the Evelina London Children’s Charity.
“Everyone who raises money for the charity does amazing work and I want to thank the Holmans and everyone else who take on these challenges for their ongoing support.”
The early intervention from the South Thames Retrieval Service and treatment at Evelina London is why Clint and family decided to fundraise for Evelina London Children’s Charity.
He said: “Without them, Alana wouldn’t be here. It’s as simple as that. If our fundraising makes life just a little bit easier for anyone staying there, or any of the staff, then it’s worth it.”
After running various races for the charity over the past few years, Clint is delighted the Remarkable Race gives Alana’s whole family a chance to raise money together for the first time.
Clint said: “The kids are so excited to be involved this time, and Alana is looking forward to the medal! We know the area from visiting Evelina London so it will be nice to be there without having an appointment to go to. We’ll be able to really enjoy the sights and raise more money for a great cause.”
Rachael Kiggell, Director of Fundraising for Evelina London Children’s Charity said:
“We are privileged to have so many amazing fundraisers who are willing to run marathons and abseil down buildings on behalf of Evelina London.
“The Remarkable Race is our first major event that everyone can take part in, young or old. It promises to be a brilliant, fun filled, family friendly day on the Southbank and we are so grateful to everyone who is already signed up and taking part.”
Click here to find out more about the Remarkable Race, and here to support the Holman family’s fundraising.
