A LOVING father made sure his late son was with him in spirit as he took on the London Marathon.
Kevin Ellard ran the 26 miles with a teddy containing one-year-old Ted’s ashes complete with his own vest and number.
The Whitnash resident, along with his brother-in-law Stephen, raised nearly £6,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital where Ted was treated for a heart condition.
It is hoped the money will buy equipment which will make it easier and more comfortable for babies to undergo CT scans.
Kevin said: “In Birmingham Children’s Hospital they ventilate babies to carry out a CT scan, it is very hard to see your child ventilated and it is also a lot to go through for a baby. Ted also had chronic lung disease so this only caused more damage to his lungs.
“Unfortunately half an hour after Ted was ventilated for the CT scan, it was cancelled. Later that day we were then told that Ted could die any day. Ted remained ventilated for six days with us worrying that he may never wake up and we may never get another kiss and cuddle.”
Ted later had a CT scan at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London where the equipment in place allowed him to stay happy and keep playing right before the scan.
The tot sadly lost his life in June after a five month battle.
Kevin, who had injured his foot some weeks before, struggled on to the end completing the run in just under four and a half hours.
He added: “I loved doing the London Marathon for such a great cause but when times were tough, thinking about my beautiful son Ted helped me through.”
Visit www.justgiving.com and search Kevin Ellard to donate.
