Wigan dad will run virtual London Marathon to thank the medics who saved his baby's life

A dad-of-three will lace up for a virtual attempt at the London Marathon this weekend, in thanks for the doctors who helped save his son’s life.

Martin Halliwell was due to run this year’s London Marathon, originally in April before it was rescheduled for October due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

He is now going to run the 26.2 mile distance around Wigan, after event organisers announced that entrants would be able to complete their marathons remotely from anywhere in the world, as an alternative to cancelling the event for a second time, or worse still, having tens of thousands of runners descend on London.

Martin, a 34-year-old from Winstanley, admitted he signed up to the event “in a moment of madness” while watching the 2019 marathon, but immediately set about training after finding out his application had been successful last October.

He’ll be raising money for NHS charities to thank the incredible people who helped save his son Harry’s life as a newborn.

Harry and his twin brother William were born in November 2015, the second and third children of Martin and wife Claire, after their daughter Hannah.

But in early December of that year, both were hospitalised with a serious lung infection. Harry’s condition deteriorated quicker than William’s, and he was rushed into Intensive Care. William was allowed to go home just before Christmas, but Harry remained in hospital until New Year’s Day 2016.

Martin said: “The NHS staff were not only amazing with our children, but looked after us too, especially on Rainbow Ward at Wigan Infirmary. And the specialist NWTS team responded quickly and calmly.

Both William and Harry are now happy, healthy and loving life. They started school in September 2020 and are enjoying every moment.”

Martin even battled back from his own illness, after developing pneumonia at the start of the year, which sidelined him for 10 weeks.

But, following his recovery, he is now ready to lace up and raise money for the foundations that helped his little boys and countless others, including the Manchester Foundation Trust, North West & North Wales Paediatric Transport Service, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Derian House Children’s Hospice.

He has been training for months to make sure he is ready to go the distance, with the help of Team ACF.

“I am absolutely thrilled, scared, overwhelmed and many other emotions but can not wait to start,” said Martin.

“Sunday 4th October will be a day to remember for me, and I am very humbled and honoured that my friends from Team ACF will be joining me along the way to help support me and get me through the distance.”

Donations can be made to Martin’s marathon challenge at www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MartinHalliwell