St Neots couple running London Marathon in memory of son

While Sue was pregnant with Jasper in 2017, a routine scan revealed that his umbilical cord was below him, which put him at risk of the cord prolapsing and starving him of oxygen during his delivery.

The couple were told that Jasper would likely need to be born by caesarean section to prevent this from happening, and were told to go home before returning the next day for Jasper's birth. 

That night, Sue went into labour with the cord prolapsing. Alex called an ambulance and the pair were rushed from their St Neots home and taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital, where Jasper was delivered by emergency caesarean.

Jasper was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital as he needed specialist care, where a scan confirmed that he suffered brain damage. He was then diagnosed with cerebral palsy. 

He spent six weeks recovering and eventually came home with his parents and his brothers, Freddie and George.

Jasper with his older brothers George and Freddie. (Image: Lea Family)

Due to Jasper's weakened lungs, it meant that he was more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.

Tragically in 2019, Jasper died after contracting pneumonia. 

Now, Sue and Alex will be running the London Marathon to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust, a charity that supported the family while Jasper spent time in Addenbrooke's.

The couple stayed in one of the charity's 'Home from Home' properties, called Chestnut House, which meant that they were never far from Jasper's side.

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Sue said; "We only live 40 minutes away from Addenbrooke's Hospital, but Jasper's condition was so severe, it was too far away.

"We didn't even know if he would survive the first few days after his birth, so Chestnut House made sure we didn't miss any time with him."

Alex added: "Having lost Jasper at such a young age made us realise those six weeks at Chestnut House were incredibly important as every second we got to spend with Jasper was precious."

Alex previously ran the London Marathon in 2019, and raise over £10,000 for The Sick Children's Trust.

This year, she's "roped" Alex into doing it alongside her, and their fundraising page can be found here.