BROTHERLY LOVE HELPS RAISE HUNDREDS FOR SICK CHILDREN’S CHARITY

Three Geordie brothers will be lacing up their trainers and taking on the famed Great North Run next month to say thanks to a charity that provided them with a lifeline.

Mic, Daniel and Luke Burns, from Durham, are teaming up to raise hundreds of pounds for The Sick Children's Trust – a charity that provided Luke and partner Zoe with on-site accommodation at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, when their daughter was seriously ill.

Three years ago, Dad Luke was giving his eight-month-old baby Layla and her brother, Leon, their evening meal when he noticed Layla had become subdued. Shortly after, Luke went in to see Layla, she appeared to be sleeping, however when he tried to wake her up he realised she wasn't asleep – she was lifeless. He says:

"I started screaming at her to wake up, but she wouldn't. Her body started shuddering and convulsing, I had no idea what to do. I rang 999 and told them what was happening and they told me to get an overnight bag sorted as the paramedics were on their way to take her to the hospital.

"When they arrived, Layla had started to turn blue – I was so panicked and worried that the only clothing I'd managed to grab was a t-shirt. They put a mask on her immediately to help her breathe and we were rushed to the hospital – though because her condition was deteriorating, we were diverted to the RVI in Newcastle, rather than Durham."

Luke and Zoe, live over an hour's drive away from the RVI where Layla was admitted for specialist treatment for viral meningitis. For two weeks, the family were supported by The Sick Children's Trust who gave them free-of-charge 'Home from Home' accommodation at Crawford House. This meant the family could be right by Layla's side throughout her treatment, spending every moment possible with her rather than travelling to and from the hospital every day.

Luke, the youngest of the three, will be running the Great North Run for the second time along with eldest brother Mic, and they are hoping that with the help of Dan – who is flying over from his home in Sweden especially - they will be able to beat last year's record and complete the course in under two hours.

Mic, who confesses he has done no training for the race so far, says: "The Sick Children's Trust really helped Luke and Zoe; it's a really great cause. The house meant Layla's parents could be with her every step of the way, which meant so much at such a young age.

"There were times when Layla's condition would be touch and go. Sometimes it would seem she would be getting better, then the next moment she would be deteriorating once again. Without the charity, they would have been stuck.

"Because the charity helped us so much, we are running the Great North Run a second time. It's a cause very close to all of our family's heart. Even though the years have gone by and Layla is much better, the charity is still valuable and still in need of everyone's help."

The bustling brothers will be running thirteen miles on September 13 in the hope to raise over £300 for The Sick Children's Trust which will add to the £1100 they raised last year. Regional Fundraiser, Tess Milligan says:

"It costs on average £28 per night to support a family at Crawford House. We believe by keeping families together during such hardship will dramatically improve a child's recovery rate. So each and every penny that someone helps raise for us goes a long way to making a significant difference to a family going through a similar experience to what Luke and Zoe went through.

"We wish the brothers the very best of luck!"

If you would like to find out more about the Burns brothers, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/micburns-2015
http://sponsorme.co.uk/lukeburns