A doting dad is lacing up his trainers and getting ready to run a half marathon next month to thank a charity which helped when his son was seriously ill.

Tim Prosser, 40, who lives in Basildon, is on a fundraising mission to thank the Sick Children’s Trust which kept him and his partner, Victoria, by their son’s hospital bedside when he needed lifesaving treatment at The Royal London Children’s Hospital.

When Jack, now four, was born, he was starved of oxygen for ten minutes and was rushed from Southend Hospital to The Royal London Children’s Hospital – miles from his family’s home. Jack underwent emergency cooling treatment in an attempt to lower the risk of him suffering from any long-term brain damage.

Whilst Jack was being treated, his worried parents were given a room at Stevenson House, run by the charity, just minutes from their son’s little incubator.

Mr Prosser, a probation service officer, will be running the Brentwood Half Marathon on March 18 to give back to the charity.

He said: “Words can’t describe how distraught we were when Jack was born. We thought we were going to lose him.

“After a textbook pregnancy with no complications, it came as a complete shock to us. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Victoria had just undergone emergency surgery at Southend Hospital and my son was being rushed away for treatment at The Royal London Hospital. It was the most traumatic experience of my life.”

Mr Prosser added: “When we were offered a room at Stevenson House suddenly everything felt so much more manageable and under control. Having a ‘home from home’ meant we could both be close to Jack, so we could help with his care and also feed him.

Mr Prosser hopes to raise £500.

He said: “Victoria and I both wanted to give something back to the charity that provided us with so much support when we needed it most.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tim-prosser1