Maltby family's dash of colour to raise vital hospice funding

A kind hearted Maltby family, who have supported their local hospice since 2012, hope to raise even more funding with a colourful event at Rother Valley Country Park later this month.
Kerry and Jason White with their children Leo, Jacob and MiaKerry and Jason White with their children Leo, Jacob and Mia
Kerry and Jason White with their children Leo, Jacob and Mia

Among the thousands walking, wheeling, jogging or running at the fifth annual Colour Dash for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice on Saturday April 28 will be Jacob White, his parents Kerry and Jason, his brother Leo and his sister Mia.

Six year old Jacob has heart problems, chronic lung disease and Noonans syndrome – a disorder that involves unusual facial characteristics, short stature, heart defects present at birth, bleeding problems, developmental delays and malformations of the bones of the rib cage.

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Kerry said: “After Jake was born at 28 weeks, weighing only two pounds, the doctors told us then that he wouldn’t survive long and he wasn’t breathing on his own. He was really poorly, and wouldn’t take any of his milk. He was on full life support for five months, but on New Year’s Day 2012, he pulled out his breathing tube, and incredibly, started breathing on his own. He was still really poorly, and had to have two more heart operations before he was eight months old.

“When I found out that I was 16 weeks pregnant with my third baby, Mia, we started going to Bluebell Wood. I needed to go for regular scans and ante-natal appointments, and Bluebell Wood’s help meant that I could drop Jake off there first, knowing he was in safe hands. He loves it and is so happy there, and we love being there together as a family. We absolutely love Colour Dash. All of us did it last year and we couldn’t wait to get our tickets this year. It’s really good fun and the atmosphere is fantastic.”

Colour Dash tickets are £19 for adults, £10 for children aged five to 15, £2.50 for under-fours and £55 for a family of four. The car parking fee is included within ticket price. Visit www.bluebellwood.org/support-us/events/go-be-active/colourdash/ to sign up.