Grieving dad hailed a fund-raising hero

Stuart Tagg beat hundreds of entries from across the country to be crowned a fund-raising unsung superhero.

The Ashton 37-year-old has raised more than £22,000 for the UK Sepsis Trust following the death of his son Thomas at the age of just two from the blood infection in June 2015.

One of the high points of Stuart’s charity mission so far was to dress as Thomas’s favourite television character Peppa Pig while taking part in last year’s Wigan 10K race.

Stuart also took part in the Great North Run and has done much to promote sepsis awareness along with his wife Elizabeth.

He was nominated by his friend Rebecca Cordingley for the SuperBreak SuperHeroes national competition for his fund-raising achievements and determination to help others. And he triumphed in the SuperCaring category.

Thomas contracted sepsis following a short bout of chicken pox. Stuart is determined not to let the same thing happen to any other family and has committed himself to raising awareness and funds for the charity.

In recognition of his courage and charity work, travel firm SuperBreak is awarding Stuart with a well-deserved London sightseeing trip for two, ahead of his London Marathon challenge this April, including four-star accommodation, River Rover tickets, plus a £250 donation to The Sepsis Trust.

Stuart said: “I’m really grateful to Rebecca for nominating me for the title of SuperCaring. The Sepsis Trust is obviously a charity close to my heart and any awareness I can raise of the amazing work they do is wonderful. I’m really looking forward to the sightseeing break in London, ahead of my next challenge, the London Marathon.”

The national search also called for people to nominate their loved ones for the categories of SuperFun, SuperBrave and SuperRomantic, with winners selected for each title.

Jacquie Fisher at SuperBreak said: “We were truly blown away by the many amazing nominations we received as part of the SuperHeroes campaign. There are a huge number of people going above and beyond in their own way, whether it be caring for someone else, or overcoming adversity themselves and it has been both a privilege and humbling experience to read through all of the entries.

“Stuart’s care and determination is an example of a parent’s unconditional love for their child. His heart-breaking story and the extent he has gone to, to make sure no family experiences what he has had to endure, means he is well deserving of his SuperCaring title. We wish him luck as he takes on the London Marathon and hope he enjoys his break for two to London – he’s truly earnt it.”