Mum runs in son's memory

A mother whose son was born with severe brain damage after she was involved in a car accident is to run the London Marathon in his memory.

Donna Wilson, 37, of Naseby Avenue, Newark, was 28 weeks pregnant when she was involved in the accident on her way home from work.

She said her son, Josh, suffered severe head trauma from her seatbelt and when he was born 11 weeks later he was blind and had hydranencephaly, epilepsy, severe developmental delay and asthma.

Donna said that Josh could not do anything for himself and needed 24-hour care.

The situation put strain on the family and they were put in touch with a Barnardo’s social worker, Eleanor Shelley, through Nottingham City Hospital’s Children’s Centre.

The social worker visited the family regularly to see how they were getting on and the charity organised pamper days and day trips.

Said Donna: “Eleanor listened to my worst fears and helped me cope with the terrible reality that my son wasn’t going to live beyond five years. She was my rock and helped me find the strength to get through the hard days.”

Josh died in his mother’s arms in November 2003 when he was three. Donna said that even with all the obstacles he faced Josh had a happy life. He was a strong character and greatly loved.

Donna was determined to use her grief constructively and will run the London Marathon on April 25 to raise money for Barnardo’s. She is hoping to raise £2,000.

She completed the Great North 10k and the Robin Hood half-marathon last year and ran the recent kilomathon — a total of 16.3 miles, between Nottingham and Derby, in 2hrs 51mins.

Donna hopes to complete the marathon in less than five hours.