Cornwall man completes half marathon in memory of his son

On August 18, Porthleven man, Lee Martin completed the Scorrier House Half Marathon and raised £4520 for Ronald McDonald House in Bristol, in memory of his son Ray who died on November 20 last year aged six weeks and six days old.

Lee and his wife Steph discovered at their 20-week scan that Ray had a heart condition and would need to be transferred to Bristol soon after his birth.

Lee and Steph have thanked people for their support (Image: Family picture) When Steph went into labour during a family meal at the Maytree in Helston, they managed to make it to Royal Cornwall Hospital, and Ray was born moments later. Three hours later, Ray was transferred to Bristol’s Children’s Hospital.

During Ray's admission, Lee and Steph found solace and support at the nearby Ronald McDonald House, where they connected with other parents facing similar challenges.

Just six weeks and six days after he was first admitted to Bristol Hospital, Ray died after surgery.

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Lee explained: “Unfortunately, he lost a lot of blood after surgery and was put on machines to help with his breathing, but he didn’t react well when they tried to take him off and came up with a horrible rash and was placed on emergency medication.

“Eventually it did clear up, but then another rash appeared. This time, the doctors said that Ray had HLH - an incredibly rare disease that affects one in five million.”

Lee completed the Scorrier Half Marathon in memory of baby Ray (Image: Family picture) After completing the Scorrier House Half Marathon this August, the team from Bristol’s Ronald McDonald House shared their gratitude to Lee. A spokesperson said: “We are so thankful and proud of Lee for his amazing fundraising on our behalf.

“His dedication to completing the half marathon is staggering and he has raised an amazing amount of money.

“With his donation, we will be able to offer free home away from home accommodation to another family like his, for over four months, keeping them together when they have a child in hospital.”

Lee, on behalf of his family, also shared his thanks for people’s support and donations. He said: “As a family, we want to thank every one of you for donating and raising awareness of the great work that Ronald McDonald houses across the country do in supporting the families of sick children.

“We also thank you for helping us to make this incredible donation in memory of Ray.”

Lee explained to the Packet that before Ray’s heart condition, he and Steph had “no idea” that one in 125 babies were born with a heart condition.

He said that they were supported through an organisation they described as “brilliant” called Tiny Tickers.

“For anyone else facing the devastating outcome of baby loss, there is a wonderful charity called Lunas Fund, which supports people in Devon and Cornwall,” said Lee.