Taking on an iconic marathon to say thank you
Participants in the London Marathon have many reasons for wanting to take on this iconic challenge around the streets of the capital. At this year’s event, one participant will be doing it for a very special area of Nottingham’s hospitals.
Emma Lamb is running in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which looked after her niece, Maisie, following a difficult birth. Emma explains the impact that Maisie’s short stay had on her and her sister, and why she has chosen to take on this incredible challenge.
“In November 2024, following a very difficult delivery, my niece Maisie was admitted to the NICU for therapeutic cooling treatment due to suspected brain damage. Thankfully, the treatment she received was successful.
When Maisie was taken off the cooling therapy, her seizures stopped, and she was able to go home after just one week in hospital.
Although Maisie’s stay in the NICU was short, we quickly learned that this is not the reality for many families. During her time there, my sister spoke to other parents whose babies had been in the unit for months, often while they also had other children at home.
One thing every parent seemed to agree on was the exceptional care provided by the staff. They were kind, supportive, and compassionate, not only to the babies, but to the entire family.
The team ensured that both my sister and her partner were able to stay in the hospital throughout Maisie’s stay, making an unimaginably difficult time feel that little bit easier. They felt so well cared for that my sister often referred to the hospital as ‘a hotel’.
By running the London Marathon, I hope to give something back to this incredible unit and the families who rely on it during the most challenging moments of their lives.”
We wish Emma and all our London Marathon runners the best of luck and will be cheering them on throughout.
If like Emma, you’ve seen or felt the impact of the care provided by Nottingham’s NHS hospitals and would like to say thank you, you can donate below.