Brothers sign up for Superhero Children’s Fun Run

The latest two superheroes signed up for the Gold Dust Appeal Superhero Children’s Fun Run event are brothers, Corbin (6 years old) and Channing (16 months) Lyddiatt from Plymouth.

Last year, at just a month old, Channing was sent up to the Children’s Assessment Unit by the family’s GP after showing signs of dehydration, rapid breathing and mottled skin.

Mum Kylie said: “We thought he had meningitis but his temperature wasn’t too bad. He then went downhill pretty quickly and started changing colour, like a grey all over, and we were rushed from a side room on the assessment ward to the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

“There were lots of attempts to fit a cannula because he was so small and dehydrated. He underwent a series of test, including a lumbar puncture and was put on strong antibiotics.”

Channing was diagnosed with sepsis.

After a week’s stay in the HDU and Woodcock Ward, Channing was discharged. Kylie said: “I’ll always be thankful to those involved because the end result could easily have meant him not being with us today.”

Just a couple of months ago, Channing came back into hospital to have his tonsils and adenoids out. The operation went very well. Due to his age, Channing was kept in overnight in HDU.

“He arrived at HDU in a distressed state,” Kylie explains. “The staff in HDU were fabulous, helping him calm down straight away. He fell asleep like normal that night. However, he woke at 2am screaming with a high temperature and a barking cough – he had croup. By morning he also had a throat infection and chest infection. We moved to Woodcock the next day and he was monitored for a further two more nights.

“Once again, the staff on both of the wards were brilliant. Not only with Channing but also with me. I can never thank them enough and although our stays have been short compared to some babies, children and their families, we couldn’t be more thankful.”

Channing is now doing really well and he and his big brother are both looking forward to taking part in the Superheroes Fun Run and Mini Superhero Toddle on Saturday 4 July at 14:30 at the Brickfields Sports Centre, Plymouth.

In addition to the fun run and mini superhero toddle, there will also be a teddy bears’ picnic, afternoon tea and a family fete, with all superheroes receiving a medal for their efforts.

The Gold Dust Appeal aims to raise £100,000 to create a bright, exciting and welcoming environment throughout the children’s and young people’s areas on level 12 of Derriford Hospital.

This inaugural event is being supported by Derriford Children’s Cancer Service and Children’s Happy Hospital Fund, who are united in their support of the appeal. We all want to be able to care for children in a stimulating and sensitive environment, with bright and spacious surroundings, which will provide greater comfort and privacy for children and their families.

To sponsor Channing and Corbin, visit their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/CorbinLyddiatt

If you have a superhero that would like to join us for the Fun Run or Mini Superhero Toddle, please visit to register: http://bit.ly/GDSuperheroFunRun