Ipswich: Mum and Dad to run London Marathon for the love of Finley George

Sarah George and husband Stephen with Finley

However, life has not always been so kind to the two-year-old from Ipswich, who almost died as a baby while suffering up to 200 seizures a day.

Finley George, when he was in hospital (Image: Archant)

Now his parents Sarah and Stephen George want to thank those who helped bring their son back from the brink and nurse him back to health.

Sarah, a police officer based at Hadleigh, and Stephen, a carpenter, have decided actions speak louder than words. They are preparing to run 26.2-miles through the capital to raise money for the Epilepsy Society.

Sarah said: “We just wanted to do something for those who helped us and Finley so much, as well as give something back to help others in the future.”

“On August 5, 2011, Stephen and I welcomed Finley, our second child into the world.

“After about 12 hours, just after his big sister Poppy, who was 19 months old had been to visit him, my dad said Finley had a twitchy leg.

“I didn’t think too much of it but suddenly Finley’s face went blue and he stopped breathing. We made an emergency call for a nurse and Finley was taken away.

“Finley started to breathe again, but he was being taken to special care baby unit as a precaution.

“Finley was in an incubator and wired to machines. We were told that Finley had had two big seizures.

“Over the next few days Finley seemed to pick up, but then he would relapse and have seizures again.

“Finley was feeding well and growing, but he was still having seizures and some days could have up to 200. Some days he would stop breathing and Stephen and I would watch helplessly while doctors and nurses brought him back.”

Finley spent six weeks at Ipswich Hospital before being transferred to Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge where he remained for a further four weeks.

Sarah said: “We were told at six weeks old if they couldn’t get some control on his seizures he might not make it to a year old.

“After 10 weeks in hospital we were allowed home. Finley was having around 40 short seizures a day. We had to return 10 days later after Finley had a fit at home and stopped breathing.

“At 14 weeks Finley had his last seizure to date. We are now after two years seizure-free weaning him off his medication, armed with oxygen and emergency medication should the worst happen again.

“We still don’t have a diagnosis and may never have a diagnosis.

“Finley has developed into a very two-and-a-half year-old and you would never know he had all of those problems.

“The next step of taking his medication away is very scary, but fingers crossed.”

Sarah and Stephen are aiming to raise £4,000 for the Epilepsy Society by running the London marathon.

They are also holding a race night at The Man on the Moon pub in Palmcroft Road on March 7.

Are you running the London Marathon? Call 01473 324736 with your story, or if someone you know is taking part, send them a message of support via our marathon page.

If you would like to donate log on to www.justgiving.com/Sarah-George4 or www.justgiving.com/Stephen1278