26.2 miles of thanks- Sam runs the London Marathon for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity

When Sam lines up at the start of the London Marathon this year, he’ll be running for more than just the challenge of 26.2 miles – he will be running to say thank you.

Sam is taking on the marathon in support of Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity, after his family received care at St Helier Hospital that meant a great deal to them.

All three of Sam and his wife Lili’s children were born at St Helier, remarkably all in the exact same room in the birth centre. “The midwives have always been first class”.

But shortly after the birth of their youngest child, Bodhi, in 2024, the family faced a worrying few weeks. Just two weeks after bringing him home, Lili developed a serious infection and had to be readmitted to hospital.

“It was a worrying time,” Sam says. “With Bodhi being so young and three children to think about, it was a lot for us as a family.”

Thanks to the care of the hospital team, Lili quickly began to recover. But just two weeks later the family were back again when 28-day-old Bodhi developed a high temperature in the middle of the night.

Sam and Lili spent two anxious days on the children’s ward waiting for test results. “There was a lot of uncertainty whilst waiting but the consultants were excellent with their communication and kept us up to date with everything,” he says. “The positivity of the staff and health play specialists really stayed with us.”

Thankfully both Lili and Bodhi recovered quickly, and today the family are doing well.

Now Sam wants to give something back. Running the marathon for Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity is his way of repaying the support his family received.

“We’re one of many families who have been through the hospital and had a positive experience,” he says. “We’re just really thankful for the support.”

You can donate to support Sam’s fundraising efforts by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-grayson-5 or if you are feeling inspired to take on a challenge of your own visit www.esthcharity.org.uk