Couple in charity run challenge for son's hospice

A husband and wife are to take part in the Great North Run to raise money for a hospice that helps care for their son.

Susie and Chris Seymour are training for the September charity run in Newcastle upon Tyne to fundraise for Hope House Children's Hospice which supports their eight-year-old son Will.

Will has an underdeveloped brain causing spasms and a severe visual impairment, his parents said.

Not only will the couple, who live near Bridgnorth, be running on their wedding anniversary, they said it would also be their first night away from their son which would be quite emotional.

The hospice has helped the family after Will's birth, also offering respite care, prompting them to want to "give something back".

Scans after his birth showed his brain had not fully developed, which resulted in him having infantile spasms and the couple being introduced to Hope House which helps families living in Shropshire, Cheshire and Wales.

"We have been with Hope House for such a long time and there really is just nothing like it," said Mrs Seymour, 41, who works as a specialist nurse in an adult hospice, said.

"The nursing and care we have had there has been absolutely incredible and we have been doing what we can to raise money and give something back to the charity that has helped us so much."

She said respite care at the hospice meant she could "immerse" herself in enjoying being Will's mum and "not thinking when his next meds are due".

Mrs Seymour said she had been training and had joined Bridgnorth Running Club. So far, she said she was able to run 10km.

"This [the race] will be the first night away we've had from Will since he was born, which will be quite emotional," she added.

"He will be staying at Hope House as we cross the finish line which I'm sure its going to be quite mix of emotions."

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