Sussex dad runs his first marathon to support his son's specialist school

Seth Hart is a bright six-year-old with a severe muscle disease. He cannot move unaided and is ventilated 24/7 via a tracheostomy. For the past two years, he has been going to school at Chailey Heritage Foundation in North Chailey, which supports children and young people with complex disabilities.

Dad Tom, 30, from the Uckfield area, says Chailey Heritage is 'an amazing place where his son thrives' so when six of his family and friends decided to run a Marathon, it was obvious who to raise money for.

And that's what the seven of them did, completing the very challenging Beachy Head Marathon in Eastbourne, as Team Staverton. So far they have raised more than £12,000 - and they are hoping for more donations from supporters in the coming weeks.

Tom Hart, 30, said: "None of us had even run a Marathon before, and we started running around the lanes locally in Halland. We trained hard but in perfect weather conditions. For the race itself, it was so different with rain and strong winds. It was a gruelling challenge on the hills, slippery and muddy at times."

The heroic Team Staverton were Tom Cottingham, Harry Tarbin, Michael Cottingham, William Cottingham, Fred Cottingham, Eddie Main and Tom. Staverton Nursery is based at Halland, near Uckfield, where Tom works and lives.

Tom said: "We were all so chuffed, so pleased to have run the Marathon, and for such a good cause. Chailey Heritage Foundation is an amazing and fantastic place. Seth has thrived so much since going there and he absolutely loves going to school each day.

"Being at Chailey Heritage has opened up a whole world of social, learning and physical opportunities for him. The care, support and teaching given to Seth throughout his school day is second to none. The charity has given him the opportunity to do things that we never thought he would be able to do.

"He now thoroughly enjoys trampolining, biking, swimming, cooking and powered wheelchair driving, alongside his daily learning.

"Seth is now also using Eye-gaze technology at school for his communication and learning. Communication for Seth is challenging but having Eye-gaze has given him the opportunity to express his feelings without having to rely upon someone else to try to understand or communicate for him.

"It has also opened up a whole world of learning possibilities and exploration for him that he is just beginning to experience."

The couple have three other children - Ella, 7, Alfie, 2, and Dougie, 1.

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You can sponsor Team Staverton here Staverton Nursery is fundraising for Chailey Heritage Foundation (justgiving.com)

Chailey Heritage Foundation is a Sussex based charity providing education, care and transition services to children and young adults with complex physical disabilities. Their mission is to give disabled children and young adults every opportunity to pursue their fullest potential.