Big-hearted team mates at Midland Scaffolding Services have pledged to take on an ultra-marathon charity challenge in a bid to raise thousands of pounds to help disabled children.
Charity champions at the Northamptonshire based business have been inspired to undertake the fitness feat after colleague Gary Rouse’s daughter Poppy was born with Down’s syndrome and a serious heart condition, TOF, which will see her undergo urgent surgery in September.
Gary, who’s worked at Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS) for 26 years, welcomed the support shown by the business where Contracts Director Ben Ekins and Estimator Jordan Harrison, have pledged to run 50 Miles for Poppy to raise thousands for the charity Caudwell Children.
Numerous businesses within the industry have also shown their support for the fundraising campaign, donating prizes for a charity raffle. The company will stage a special family fun day for its team and their families to welcome Ben and Jordan across the finish line at the end of their charity challenge, which will see the dynamic duo run from Birmingham to Northampton on September 19.
Gary explained how, since baby Poppy’s arrival last December, it has been an emotional and anxious time for him and his partner, Natalie, with months of hospital admissions, medical appointments with heart specialists and getting to grips with tube feeding.
He said: “Obviously our time with Poppy has been enjoyable, but it’s been hard work, the hardest time of our lives probably. We’ve known since day one she’d need to have her operation – it’s really tough but we are battling on through. With Poppy there are quite a few things we have to do differently than we did with all our other babies – the tube feeding being the biggest thing.
“Poppy’s had her tube since her first week of life and most of her feeds are through the tube. It’s been a struggle, really difficult, you have to check the acids in her stomach and sometimes she would vomit during feeds. We’ve had to get used to all this, it’s hard and tiring especially as Poppy needs several feeds a day.”
The Northampton couple also have to juggle a hectic home life where the majority of their 15 school-age children still live. The family are now coming to terms with the fact Poppy will need heart surgery sooner than they had originally anticipated.
Colleagues at MSS are helping to support Gary and his family through everything, including granting Gary extended paid leave when Poppy first arrived and was settling in at home.
In the run up to the charity challenge, Ben and Jordan have been busy clocking up the miles training for the run of their lives. Ben, who returned to running recently to help his mental health, wanted to turn his own battle into a force for good and help Poppy and her family by doing a charity challenge like no other.
Ben said: “When I heard about Gary’s daughter we wanted to do something for charity and decided we would run from one of our flagship jobs in Birmingham back to Northampton. We’re hoping to raise £20,000, but if we can beat that it would be amazing. We chose the charity because it helps so many families and as Poppy progresses through her life the charity will be there to help with whatever she needs.
“We’re staging our family fun day at the finish line as we always hold an annual event for charity and this is very close to our hearts as it is one of our own we are doing this for. We are a family-run business and very family orientated.”
Having recently become a parent for the first time, Poppy’s plight particularly hit home for Jordan. He said: “This cause is so close to our hearts because Gary has served with us for so long and being a new father myself, it very much resonates with me. If we can get out there and raise some money for the charity, hopefully it will help put Gary and his family in a better spot in the future.
“We’ve got to finish this for Poppy – there’s a little girl we need to help raise money for so she and her family can have as good a life as possible in the future.”
Gary is willing his team mates to cross the finish line. “It’s amazing what they are doing. I’d say to them both, good luck, believe in yourself. If you believe, you will conquer it. It will be tough but I am sure somehow you will get across the line.”
The money raised will go to Caudwell Children; the charity strives to give disabled and autistic children the confidence and ability to reach their full potential.
Claire Marshall, CEO at Caudwell Children, said: “We are deeply inspired by Ben and Jordan’s incredible 50-mile challenge, and so grateful they chose to support Caudwell Children.
“Their generosity directly helps children like Poppy access the support, tools and opportunities they need to thrive. Whether it’s through autism assessments, short breaks, mobility and sensory equipment, or our Shaping Futures programme, we personalise our support to every child’s strengths and needs. We want to ensure that every disabled and neurodivergent child has the chance to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential, on their own terms.”
Gary added: “I knew it would be a tough year but if we can get to the end of it, Poppy’s had the operation, there’s some sort of improvement and we start going in the right direction, then it might feel a bit better.”
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