Mum runs London Marathon for local hospital after newborn baby support

In early 2022, Beth Andrews gave birth to her first daughter while she and her husband Chris had both tested positive for covid.

Due to the strict restrictions at the time, Beth was transferred to a separate and more secure unit at Whiston Hospital, but further complications arose when little Libby was born with breathing difficulties.

This meant that Libby was rushed to a special care unit to give her immediate treatment, but because of Beth and Chris' covid infection, they were unable to see their newborn daughter for five days while she fought for her life.

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Libby was rushed to Whiston's Special Care Baby Unit after her birth (Image: Beth Andrews)
Although Beth has described this five-day period as the "most horrendous pain imaginable", she said that staff at Whiston's Special Care Baby Unit were "incredible" and made one of the worst periods of her life much more bearable.

In addition to the general support and information she received, Beth said that staff would take photographs and videos of her newborn baby and pass on materials so that Libby had something to hold from her mum.

Hospital staff also made adjustments so that Beth's mum could enter the baby unit, where she looked after Libby until her daughter and son-in-law were covid free and could finally be reunited.

Beth decided to run the London Marathon to show her gratitude (Image: Beth Andrews)
Beth, a practice manager for Sainsbury's Bank, said: "The hospital staff were just fantastic. They would do anything they could think of to support me and try and get me through that time.

"I was crying my eyes out at first but the photos and videos, and all the small things they did to support me and my mental health, made a horrendous situation much better.

"After a few days, my mum was allowed in the unit to look after Libby, and it was very emotional when we were all reunited - there were lots of tears!"

Libby is now a happy and healthy two-year-old after being brought home to her older brother Evan (Image: Beth Andrews)
As soon as the young family returned home, Beth and Chris agreed to do something that could show their immense gratitude to the staff at Whiston.

That is why the mum-of-two, based in Widnes, decided to run the London Marathon this year to raise funds for Whiston and St Helens Hospital Charity.

Despite the "horrific" training regime, the mum-of-two said that the marathon was a "phenomenal" occasion and she has raised more than £1,300 for the local hospitals' charity.

To congratulate Beth on her efforts and donate towards Whiston and St Helens Hospital Charity, you can visit her fundraiser here.