'Meningitis developed too rapidly to stop it'

A dad has run for three days in memory of his "cherished" five-month-old baby whose meningitis developed too rapidly for anyone to stop it

Nick Flynn, from Taunton, Somerset, set off on Thursday to run 178 miles (286 km), marking a mile for every day his son was alive, from Reading to Taunton.

Flynn said every penny of the £80,000 raised in Tommy's memory will be donated to Bristol Children's Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Mum Kerry Clark said their story is "horrific and unfair", adding: "We cannot stop the fact that PICU is desperately needed and sadly always will be, but what we can do is help parents and children whilst they are there."

In November last year, Tommy was sleeping with his mum watching over him while he was recovering from a viral infection, when he suddenly started having a seizure.

Tommy was rushed to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but his seizure was unrelenting, so he was placed into a medically induced coma to allow his body to rest.

Tommy stayed at Bristol Children's Hospital's PICU for three days before his parents were told he would never wake up.

Clark said: "What happened to Tommy was a tragedy.

"Tommy was the most gorgeous, loved and cherished little boy. He brought so much love and joy to everyone lucky enough to meet him.

"He truly was our everything, and everything we do now will be done with him in mind, just like it would have been had he not been cruelly taken from us far too soon."

Flynn added that there were loads of amazing ways to fundraise, but he needed something to focus on while grieving.

Three close friends also joined him on the run.

"We just keep putting one foot in front of each other. People do that every day," Flynn said.

Kate Jones, senior community fundraising manager at hospital's charity Grand Appeal, said the challenge was "nothing short of extraordinary".

"They have already raised an incredible amount of money, which will make a real and lasting difference to the patients and families who rely on the support of Bristol Children's Hospital every single day," Jones added.

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