Kieran To Run After Miracle Meningitis Recovery

Entries for the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run are open. Enter at: Greatrun.org/Manchester

A schoolboy who contracted a deadly strain of meningitis will take on a running challenge for the hospital that saved his life after he made a miracle recovery.

Kieran Gilworth, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was rushed to hospital when he was just under two years old with a high temperature and a rash on his stomach.

His Mum Kelly Obrien was devastated when doctors at Tameside Hospital told her there was nothing more that could be done for her son after they diagnosed him with meningitis.

Kieran and his mum had been shopping when his body began to go limp and he developed a temperature. After a visit to the doctors, Kieran was sent home after been told he had a viral infection, however later that day he began to develop a rash on his stomach.

The scene was all too familiar for Kelly, who had lost a family member to meningitis previously and rushed him to hospital. She was left devastated when they were told there was nothing more that could be done for Kieran.

The next few hours were a blur for the family, as Kieran was hooked onto a machine and placed in an induced coma to help him fight the disease.

It was then that he was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he spent a week in a critical condition in their intensive care unit.

Finally Kieran began to show signs of recovery and was eventually discharged over a week later. He suffered damage behind his left eye, which meant he suffered sight problems and had to wear glasses.

The family say they will always be grateful for the help and care that the hospital gave Kieran and wanted to do something to repay them.

Kieran, who is now eight, decided he wanted to take on a fundraising challenge for the hospital and will take on the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run on Sunday 28 May to support them.

Kelly said: “The whole time that Kieran was poorly was an absolutely awful time and looking back now, it was a complete blur and I can’t believe he got through it.

“At one point, I had his funeral all planned out because doctors said the meningitis was so advanced that there was nothing more that could be done for him and we had to say goodbye.

“That all changed when we went to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Although Kieran was in a coma for a week because he was not strong enough, the treatment he received was unbelievable.

“I remember looking at him and not being able to believe how many machines he was hooked up to.

“I know that had he not gone to that hospital, he would not be here today and we cannot thank them enough for it.”

Kieran will join over 2,000 children for the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run when it takes place this Spring in a brand new city centre location.

The day is part of a packed weekend of sport which includes the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10k and a brand new half marathon distance.

Kieran is now a healthy and active schoolboy who loves the outdoors and Kelly thought that the 1.5k mini run would be a perfect opportunity for him to fundraise.

Kelly, who is a full time mum, added: “We have always wanted to do something for the hospital because words can’t ever describe how grateful we are.

“Kieran loves the outdoors but he has not ran that far before on his own so it will be nice for him to do something that challenges him and hopefully he will be able to raise a good sum of money in the process.

“It’s nice for Kieran to learn about the value of a hospital like the one that helped him and that it’s important to give something back to them.

“Hopefully Kieran’s contribution will be able to help other people who need the hospital’s resources.”

To support Kieran’s fundraising, click here.

Entries for the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run are open. Enter at: Greatrun.org/Manchester