"When your world stops twice": Harry’s story

In the quiet hours of an autumn morning, baby Harry unexpectedly entered the world six weeks earlier than planned. While his early arrival raised initial concerns, no one could have predicted the moments that lay ahead.  

Not once, but twice, this tiny fighter would face life-threatening emergencies that would leave his family clinging to hope. Through these hours, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK became their lighthouse in the storm. Now, as Harry continues to grow stronger each day, his uncle Finn is lacing up his running shoes to give back to the charity that became their lifeline. 

Guest blogger: Gracie  

There are moments in life that alter you. For us, that moment came when I found Harry grey and unresponsive. I’ll never forget running through those hospital doors, seeing my five-week-old baby turn blue, and hearing the code being called. It’s something I’ll always remember.

We made it just in time, and 60 seconds of CPR helped bring Harry back. After that, we were suddenly blue-lighted to King’s College Hospital London, with no time to pack clothes, make plans or organise a place to stay. Worst of all, we had to leave our toddler, Tobias, behind without being able to explain why. In those moments, after our world had taken a turn, Ronald McDonald House Camberwell helped to support and comfort us.

Thankfully, Harry made a good turn, and we could bring him home for a short time. However, just days after bringing Harry home, watching him finally sleep peacefully in his own cot, we experienced the same incident just weeks later. The second time was different — somehow both easier and harder. Easier because we knew what to expect; harder because we knew exactly what may happen. It took thirteen attempts at intubation — each one difficult to watch as Harry had to fight all over again.

Rather than being at home over Christmas, enjoying our first as a family of four, we stayed with Harry whilst he was recovering at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. This was only possible due to the help that Ronald McDonald House offered us once more. The House team made sure no family felt alone during the Christmas holidays. I’ll never forget the kindness of Anna, who remembered not just our names but our story, who asked about Tobias and celebrated every tiny step forward with Harry. When you’re living a nightmare, these small touches of humanity mean everything. 

And then there’s my brother, Finn. When I saw his fundraising page pop up while we were still in hospital, I broke down in tears. It was lovely to see that others were willing to support the cause that had given us such support. The Hastings Half Marathon is a special race, a tricky amount of elevation (though nothing Uncle Finn hasn’t tackled before!), but one that represents home to us.

Finn’s initial fundraising goal of £500 was smashed within a couple of days. As he pushes toward £1,000, every penny represents another family who might find themselves where we were — worried, needing rest, and desperately needing a ‘home away from home’. Every enduring practice run he completes, every morning he gets up early to train, it’s all in aid of Ronald McDonald House who kept our family together.  

To any family reading this who might be facing their own medical crisis, you never think it will happen to you. I certainly didn’t. But when everything feels uncertain and worry takes over, there are the most kind and supportive people around to support you. From the simple comfort of a morning coffee machine with takeaway cups to the solidarity of other parents who become friends over late-night games of Uno, every detail is taken care of so you can focus on what matters most — your child.  

Harry is home now, growing stronger every day. His journey has already inspired so many, from the hundreds of pounds raised through Finn’s upcoming marathon to the community that has rallied around us. While we can never repay Ronald McDonald House Charities UK for giving us a home when we needed it most, we can pay it forward. On 23 March 2025, as Finn climbs those challenging hills of the Hastings Half Marathon, our entire family will be there, cheering him every step of the way. What started as Harry’s greatest challenge has now become a labour of love for his uncle.