Sebbie runs 5k a day to say thank you

This May, eleven-year-old Sebbie Harris is running 5km every day to say thank you to the teams at the John Radcliffe who saved his life.

Sebbie, from Farnham Common, became critically ill with a rare post-COVID condition exactly two years ago.

He is taking on this remarkable fundraising challenge to thank the hospital teams that cared for him during the most difficult time of his young life.

Sebbie was rushed by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital after becoming seriously unwell in May 2024. He was admitted directly to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit, where clinicians worked quickly to identify the cause of his illness.

During his stay, he underwent surgery to rule out appendicitis, was in a medically induced coma, and was tested for serious conditions such as leukaemia and HLH, a rare immune disorder.

Sebbie was later diagnosed with PIMS-TS, a post-COVID-19 condition in which the immune system continues to respond as though fighting the virus, leading to severe inflammation affecting his heart and enlarging his organs.

His mum, Louisa Harris, said: "It was all very terrifying for everyone involved, and it's a time none of us will ever forget.

"But thanks to the expertise and dedication of NHS staff, alongside access to specialist equipment and facilities, Sebbie slowly began to recover and was discharged home after 10 days in hospital.

Now Sebbie says he decided to take on the big challenge "to give back to the people who helped me when I was poorly".

He is running 5k a day for a month while raising money for Oxford Hospitals Charity.

Louisa said the whole family are incredibly proud of him for turning such a frightening experience into something positive: "Throughout the hardest days of our lives, the staff at the John Radcliffe were extraordinary."

"From the specialist equipment that helped save Sebbie's life, to the support spaces for families near the unit, every part of the care we received made a huge difference.

"We know fundraising through Oxford Hospitals Charity helps to provide specialist equipment, better facilities and extras that support children and families during incredibly difficult times, and we are so grateful to everyone supporting Sebbie in this challenge.

"His dad, Robb, and I will be there beside him on his runs most days - often on a bike to keep up! We are incredibly proud of what Sebbie is doing!"

Lorna Eaton, Supporter Care Assistant at Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "We're wishing Sebbie the very best of luck as he continues his incredible challenge. He's already smashed his fundraising target with two weeks still to go - what an amazing achievement."