Nicola McMillan’s daughter Sophie was born premature in 2016 with multiple medical problems. She was born without an oesophagus (TOF/OA) and was rushed straight to emergency surgery, where doctors discovered she had a bleed on the brain, extensive brain damage and cerebral palsy.
Three difficult months later, Sophie was discharged, and the family was introduced to Acorns Children’s Hospice, a local charity providing families and children with specialist care.
“Acorns helped and guided me through this new world of feeding tubes and equipment, they saw me in my darkest days and guided me out of those days,” writes Nicola on her fundraising page.
Sophie has been medically resuscitated five times in her life, and so Nicola set herself the challenge of running five half marathons in 2025, each one to celebrate Sophie surviving and fighting another day.
In 2020, Sophie and her family were discharged from Acorns as Sophie’s health had stabilised. “The reality is many families go to Acorns for end-of-life care and never get to leave as a complete family again.”
“We did leave as a complete family, so I’m setting myself this challenge for all the children who took their last breath at Acorns, and for all those children like mine that have come close to the end but continue to fight to be here every day. You all matter and you are all my inspiration.”
The Worcester City Half Marathon on the 14th September will be Nicola’s fourth half marathon in her mission to raise money for Acorns Hospice. As the Official Charity Partner of the 2025 Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs, Acorns are organising a team of runners to take part in the events.
Sophie Boreham, Events Manager at Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, said: “It’s a privilege to provide care for families like Nicola’s. The heartbreaking reality is that without Acorns, many families would go through unimaginable journeys completely alone.
“That’s why events like Worcester City Runs are so important. As the proud Charity Partner for this year’s event, it will shine a welcome spotlight on our children’s hospice care.
“If you’ve been touched by Nicola’s story and are taking part in this year’s Half Marathon or 10K, we’d love you to join ‘Team Acorns’ and help raise funds towards our vital care. If you want to fundraise for Acorns this year with your place, get in touch with us.
“It costs £35,000 each day to run our three hospices and be there for the children and families who need us. Every penny raised will ensure families caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions get the care they deserve.”
It costs £35,000 each day to run our three hospices and provide our lifeline care and support for seriously ill children and their families. Help can’t wait for these families. So it would be amazing if anyone running could join ‘Team Acorns’ and help raise funds towards our vital care. Every penny raised will ensure families caring for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions get the care and support they desperately need.”
Read more about the difference your fundraising could make for children and families in Worcestershire via the Acorns website and request a fundraising pack from us at info@eventsofthenorth.com.
