The Plant family from Kings Norton has been named as this week’s charity champion after sprinting into action for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and raising just over £2,000 in two months.

In January this year, Jason and Alison Plant’s lives were turned upside down when their little boy Tommy went into cardiac arrest while at home. After being rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in an ambulance, the paramedics and hospital staff worked tirelessly to save Tommy’s life. Thankfully, they were able to get his heart beating again and Tommy was then transferred to the Paediatric Care Intensive Unit. Here he received around-the-clock care to give him the best chance of recovery and, miraculously, after just 16 days, Tommy was able to go home.

The Plants know Birmingham Children’s Hospital well, with Tommy being first admitted when he was only a few months old. Twenty-four hours after Tommy was born, he needed life-saving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, which involves a pump circulating blood through an artificial lung back into the bloodstream. Tommy was later diagnosed with chronic lung disease, for which he has to visit the hospital every few months. Since then, he has also been diagnosed with mild pulmonary hypertension.   

Inspired by the world-class care provided during Tommy’s time in hospital and looking to show their gratitude to the staff who worked to save Tommy’s life, the Plants sprinted in to action to fundraise for the charity.

Alison, who is a school lunchtime supervisor, set up a cake sale at Tommy’s primary school – Woodthorpe Junior and Infant School – while the family organised a non-uniform day at older son Harry’s secondary school – Wheelers Lane Technology College. Jason, who works in telecoms, has also decided to tackle this year’s Great Birmingham 10k in May and the Great Birmingham Run in October and is busy training to ensure he’s race ready. Combining all their fundraising to date, the family has raised just over £2,000, but is keen to add to the total.

Jason Plant, comments:  “It’s been a tough couple of months for our family however we were simply blown away by the care, support and dedication from the staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. We owe them everything and not only do we want to help raise awareness of the world-class care it provides to families like ours, we also want to give something back by raising money to support these lifesavers and ensure that they can continue the amazing work they do.”

Serena Daw, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, comments: “The Plant family’s experience is truly heart-breaking, but it demonstrates the vital work that goes on here at our hospital. Fundraisers like the Plant family play an essential part in ensuring we’re able to continue to offer the best care, service and experience to all the children and families that pass through our doors.” 

Jason is taking part in the Great Birmingham 10k on 26 May. If you’d like to find out more about the event, register for a place, or fundraise for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, visit