Jack and Alisha's marathon effort for NHS charity’s Tiny Toes appeal

Jack Armstrong and Alisha Flintham, both 33 from Wickerlsey, Rotherham, have been juggling bedtime stories and changing nappies with training for their events, which began with the Sheffield Half Marathon in April 2024 and Total Warrior at Bramham Park in Leeds in July.

Jack will then be going solo to participate in the 13.1-mile AJ Bell Great North Run on 8 September and Lakes in a Day – a gruelling 50-mile ultra-run from Caldbeck to Cartmel in the Lake District on 12 October.

Jack and Alisha’s daughter Arabella was born six weeks prematurely in February 2023 and needed support during her two week stay on the neonatal unit to breathe and feed more easily.

Jack said: “It was a scary and emotional time for us, especially as we had friends having babies at a similar time who were able to take their babies home.

“We wanted to support the appeal because we’re so grateful to the NHS staff who cared for Arabella. We wanted to say thank you to the incredible team for being so kind, compassionate and hardworking. They work 12 hour shifts with a smile on their face, despite having the lives of our precious babies in their hands. They really make the unit a welcoming home from home.

“We wanted to do something big to say thank you that would also raise money to benefit other families going through a similar experience to us in future.”

Arabella’s parents have raised £1,060 and hope to reach £1,500 by the end of October.

Jack’s training schedule consists of lots of running, hiking and walking.

"I like to keep active so fitness challenges like the four we’ve chosen seemed like a natural fit. I wanted to aim big,” Jack added.

"The Great North Run is an event I’ve been hoping to do for years so I appreciated the charity securing me a place. I’ve done lots of running events in the past, so I’m confident I’ll get across the half-marathon finish line but the Lakes in a Day will be a huge physical and mental challenge.

“I’ll be doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks to train for it and lots of hiking at weekends. I hope to get around the course, which runs from the top to the bottom of the Lake District, in 16 hours.

“I’ll be thinking about Arabella and her time on the neonatal unit and all the other babies on there fighting for their lives. It will be tough and uncomfortable but I just keep thinking that it’s 24 hours of my life – I can rest and have a spa day afterwards! Arabella is now a strong, smiley and happy 18-month old, which we’re grateful for and she will inspire me when it gets tough.”

The charity’s Tiny Toes appeal was launched in August 2023 and aims to raise £150,000.

The neonatal unit and its caring and compassionate staff are highly praised by families, but the facilities required upgrading to ensure their excellent standard of care can continue for generations to come.

The Trust has refurbished the unit for the first time in 40 years, with the charity continuing to fundraise to fund the resource and equipment the NHS cannot afford.

Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising, said: “We’re absolutely bowled over by Jack and Alisha’s fundraising. They’ve run hundreds of miles together in preparation for their events and Jack is facing a unique and challenging hike in the Lake District. We really appreciate their dedication to raising money for the Tiny Toes appeal and it feels particularly poignant that baby Arabella inspired it all.

“There’s still time to fundraise for the appeal and we hope Jack and Alisha are showing that anything is possible when it comes to ticking off your own bucket list challenge.”

Sponsor Jack and Alisha via Just Giving.

For more information about the charity call us on 01709 426821 or email trft.rhcc@nhs.net. Alternatively, find out more about the charity’s events.