A loving family has walked into this week’s Charity Champion top spot after taking on Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s 5k charity walk around Sutton Park.   

The family was inspired to raise money to say thank you for the on-going care their one-year-old daughter, Amelia, receives at the Children’s Hospital.  

Diagnosed with a rare and complex heart condition at just seven days old, Amelia has spent most of her life at the hospital – 392 days to be exact. Three months on and Amelia is doing really well, she’s been discharged from hospital and is joining the family at the Fun Family 5 walk this year.

The whole family took on the fundraising challenge in 2017 - raising over £1,000 for the hospital. They enjoyed the family day out so much that over 20 of them are returning to take part in this year’s event too and continue on their fundraising journey.  

Mum, Kelly commented: “Without Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Amelia simply wouldn’t be here today. We can’t thank the hospital enough for all they’ve done for our family and for that reason, we feel it’s hugely important we do our bit to help raise funds to give something back and help give other children like Amelia, the best possible experience.

“We decided to fundraise by taking on Fun Family 5 because there was something for the whole family. We’re looking forward to returning to Sutton Park later this month to take part in the day again and we’re so excited to have Amelia with us too!”

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “We’re really looking forward to seeing Kelly, Amelia and the whole family at our second annual Fun Family 5 event this month. It’s inspirational to hear how the world-class treatment our hospital provides inspires families like the Dowding’s to fundraise for us. We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Dowding family for supporting our hospital in this way and we hope they have an amazing day at Fun Family 5.

“Fun Family 5 is a great day out for all the family, from circus skills workshops to arts and crafts to face painting, all alongside the sponsored 5k walk they’re really is something for everyone!”

For more information on Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, visit www.bch.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 0121 333 8506. To sign up to the Fun Family 5 5k sponsored walk this month visit https://www.bch.org.uk/Event/funfamily5