Hike for hospital
A woman is planning to walk 95 miles to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital where her grandson died from a rare condition.
Mrs June Miller (56) of Marlock Close, Fiskerton, will set off from Glasgow on April 6 to walk the West Highland Way to Fort William.
She will be accompanied by her sister Mrs Sandra Strachan (63) of Cardross, Scotland.
Mrs Miller’s grandson, Jack, was born at St John’s Hospital, Chelmsford, on August 15 last year.
His parents, Mrs Miller’s son Mr Stuart Miller (32) and Miss Anna Greenhouse (37) live in Chelmsford.
Jack became ill and was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, where he died on August 18.
He had a rare genetic condition —ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency —which affects the body’s ability to get rid of ammonia. As a result it accumulates in the blood causing hyperammonemia.
It travels to organs, including the brain, causing coma, brain damage and death.
Mrs Miller, her family and friends want to raise £15,000 for research into genetic disorders at Great Ormond Street.
A total of £5,334 has been raised so far through sponsorship, events and donations.
Mrs Miller said after Jack’s birth Miss Greenhouse kept saying something was not right. It was initially thought Jack had an infection.
He was resuscitated after his heart stopped but his parents took the decision to turn off his life support.
“There was nothing anybody could have done,” said Mrs Miller.
“The staff at Great Ormond Street were absolutely fantastic.
“We are grateful for support no matter how small a donation. Every little helps.”
Mrs Miller, who plays golf at Stoke Rochford Golf Club near Grantham, said she was looking forward to the sponsored walk.
“I wanted to do something that would stretch me,” she said.
She said the main problem would be the terrain, as it was up and down hills and across desolate moorland.
Mrs Miller and Mrs Strachan plan to walk about 15 miles a day and will stay in bed and breakfast accommodation during the week-long challenge.
Jack’s father, Mr Miller and four friends are planning a ten-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in August.
Mrs Miller’s husband, Mr Graham Miller (60) raised £1,728 by asking family and friends for donations instead of birthday presents for his 60th birthday.
Donations can be made via the website www.justgiving.com/jacks-trek