A dad from Workington, Cumbria is preparing to take on the Great North Run this weekend to raise funds for The Sick Children’s Trust, the charity that supported his family while his son spent six months in hospital in Newcastle, over 100 miles away from home.
Mark Routledge – who played Rugby League for Workington Town and Seaton Rangers – will join thousands of runners in Newcastle this Sunday (8 September), tackling the iconic 13.1-mile course to the finish line by the coast, all in support of The Sick Children’s Trust.
Mark and Alfie Routledge during Alfie’s time in hospital. Credit: Routledge family.
Mark’s son Archie, who is nine, carries a rare genetic mutation which causes hereditary pancreatitis, a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing significant abdominal pain and carries a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer later in life.
On 30 April, Archie became the youngest person in the UK to undergo an operation to remove his pancreas and transplant his own insulin producing cells at the same time. He spent six months at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) with pancreatitis, unable to eat and receiving nutrition only through a drip. Surgeons were able to use a small window of time when the pancreas had slightly recovered to carry out the life-saving operation.
During the 15-hour procedure, the specialist team at the RVI’s Great North Children’s Hospital removed the pancreas, harvested those insulin-secreting islet cells from the pancreas, then reinfused those cells back into the liver to find a home and help manage blood sugar by producing insulin.
During Archie’s time in Newcastle, Mark and wife Emma were supported by The Sick Children’s Trust and its ‘Home from Home’, Crawford House. Located just two minutes from the hospital, Crawford House ensured they could always be by Archie’s side. As part of the family’s ongoing efforts to express their gratitude, Mark is raising funds by taking on the Great North Run. Mark said:
“To have a place to stay next to the hospital when so far away from home during such a stressful time was the most amazing lifeline for our family. The Sick Children’s Trust relieved the financial stress and worry of finding somewhere to stay, and could not have been more supportive throughout Archie’s ordeal. We were a long way from home, so to have a place where we could look after ourselves so we could be at our best for Archie was so important and we are so grateful for that.
Mark and Emma Routledge with son Alfie (front) and daughter Halle (centre). Credit: Routledge family.
“I have chosen to take on Great North Run to give back to a charity that means so much to our family”, continued Mark. “It has had a huge impact on our lives, keeping us together through such a difficult time. We are doing everything we can to help support this brilliant charity, so they can continue to provide help for families in times of need.
“We’ve also had amazing community support at home, with Workington Town and Seaton Amateur Rugby Clubs both running various events to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust. Collectively, they have raised over £10,000 for the charity, which will ensure that Crawford House can offer other families the same wonderful support that we received.”
After a total of six months being so far away from home, the family was allowed to take Archie back home to Workington. Archie now takes medicine and is gradually settling back into life at home with his family. Commenting on her family’s relief, Archie’s mum Emma said:
“Being away from home and our daughter, Halle, with the stress of fighting for the operation was a really tough time for our family. We are beyond relieved that we no longer need to fight the battle of pancreatitis and Archie can live his life pain free. We hope that the breakthroughs in this surgery enable other children suffering from pancreatitis to recover and carry on with their lives.”
You can find more information about Archie’s pioneering medical procedure on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals website.
If you would like to donate to Mark’s Great North Run fundraiser you can do so by visiting https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2024.enthuse.com/pf/mark-routledge .