Parents of Mexborough tot Poppy take on obstacle challenge to thank Sheffield Children's Hospital

Already signed up for Theo’s Obstacle 5K event this Saturday — in aid of Sheffield Children’s Hospital — are grateful parents Steven and Zoe Beasley.

Like any new parents, Steven and Zoe, of Herbert Street, were excited to attend their child’s 12-week scan in January last year.

But they were shocked to be told their baby had exomphalos — a condition resulting in her liver forming on the outside of her body, which affects one in 5,000 babies born in the UK. 

Mum Zoe recalled: “We were shocked and upset. The scans and appointments we had in the weeks that followed prepared us for the worst — but little did we know, Poppy had different ideas.”

The couple’s daughter Poppy entered the world six months later.

Dad Steven said they feared their first child would even make it through the day, but to their relief she carried on fighting during the days that followed. 

Poppy, now ten months old, spent six weeks on the neonatal surgical unit at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and the appointments continued weekly as surgeons continued to change the bandages which were pushing her liver back into her body. 

By the time she was five months old, Poppy had already spent three months of her life in hospital after also contracting respiratory treat infection bronchiolitis.

Zoe said that the care her daughter received at Sheffield Children’s Hospital had been “fantastic”. 

“The operations the surgical team performed are out of this world,” she said.

“We can’t thank the staff who have cared for Poppy enough, from her consultants and doctors, to the nurses who looked after her every day.”

Now back home, Poppy’s health is improving and her development progressing well. 

As a way of saying thank you for saving their daughter’s life, Poppy’s Warriors are preparing to complete the obstacle course and have already raised £650.

The money the family raises will be spilt between the hospital’s neonatal surgical unit and its theatres team. 

Steven added: “We can’t wait for the obstacles. It feels great to be giving something back to the people who have given us so much.”

The Children’s Hospital Charity’s biggest event of the year will be held at new location, Hesley Wood Scout camp. Visit www.tchc.org.uk/events to book your place.