Back in April 2018, Helen and Mark Fowles were asleep in their home in Dorset when they had a knock on their door from the Police to say that Helen’s son, and Mark’s step-son, Charlie, was in hospital in Birmingham.

Charlie, who was studying Product and Furniture Design at Birmingham City University, had been out with friends at a nightclub in the city centre. Charlie had gone to jump down some stairs and had hit his head on a concrete lintel, causing multiple head injuries and numerous skull fractures.

Charlie was unresponsive when the West Midlands Ambulance Service arrived at the scene, and the paramedics had to reduce the pressure on his brain in order to save his life. He was rushed to QEHB with internal bleeding and swelling to the brain.

Helen and Mark made the trip from Dorset to Birmingham as soon as they could, and when they arrived at the hospital the team told them what had happened.

Charlie was in a coma, and remained in Critical Care for the next four days before being transferred to the Neurological Ward. Doctors were amazed at how well Charlie responded to treatment, and considered his recovery miraculous.

Two weeks after his accident, Charlie contracted viral meningitis and underwent a number of emergency operations to save his life. Remarkably, after four weeks Charlies was able to return home.

Now, exactly a year after his accident, his step-dad Mark will be taking on the London Marathon to raise money for the hospital that saved Charlie’s life. His mum Helen was also planning on running the marathon, but has sadly picked up a stress fracture to her ankle.

Helen said: “We are so very proud of Charlie for his positive attitude and determination to make a full recovery since his accident. He has even been able to return to his studies.

“We owe everything to the West Midlands Ambulance Service, Neurosurgeon Mr Moussa and his amazing team in the Neuro Critical Care Unit, and the research team at QEHB.

“Without their quick response and dedication in caring for Charlie, the outcome would have been unbearable.”
When the ballot opened for the 2019 London Marathon, Helen and Mark were sat around Charlie’s bed at QEHB and entered. Mark said: “We entered just in case, we didn’t think that we’d actually succeed and get places!”

Helen manages a branch of Lloyds Bank in Dorset, and Charlie also works as an on-call cashier for Lloyds Bank in Birmingham. The bank has kindly agreed to match-fund up to £500.

The family have already raised an incredible £1,000 for QEHB Charity, and hope to raise even more. Mark said: “This is my first marathon so I’m a bit nervous about it, although I know it will be an amazing day. Helen and Charlie will both be there to cheer me on and it’s great knowing that I’m raising money for a really important cause.”

You can support Helen and Mark’s fundraising here.

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