Somerset dad's Cots for Tots marathon challenge helps 'channel grief'

Thomas Young said he receives lots of beeps of support and waves from passers-by

A father running 46 half-marathons dressed as Superman in memory of his late son, said the challenge was helping him to channel his grief.

Thomas Young's son Jaxon died in May in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at St Michael's Hospital.

Mr Young, from Weston-super-Mare, has run a half-marathon each week since 7 July to raise money for the NICU's charity Cots for Tots.

The last run is on 14 May, the date when Jaxon died, aged six weeks old.

Mr Young, a long-time Superman fan, said he had promised Jaxon he would one day take him on one of his half-marathons, dressed in the superhero's suit.

When he first started running he said many people were initially confused.

"I didn't have my flag with me, so it just looked like there was a random person running around Weston in a Superman suit.

"Now, I get lots of beeps and waves and I love it because it gives me a massive boost to be able to carry on."

Mr Young is raising money for the St Michael's Hospital Cots for Tots charity

A power booster

Jaxon was born in April 2023 and was immediately transferred to the NICU at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol, where he lived for 46 days.

Mr Young is running one half-marathon for each of those days and said it had helped him to process his grief.

"There are days when I have wobbles and the days are harder, but the runs are a distraction.

"That is helpful, to keep me busy but also to channel my grief and provide a power booster.

"I like to think when I'm running that Jaxon is with me; that in itself gets me out and going," he added.

Mr Young has already raised £8,000 for the NICU's charity Cots for Tots, which provides a "home from home" for families visiting sick and premature babies at the hospital.

"For the short amount of time we were there, we saw the dedication and passion they had for looking after not only the babies, but also their families. They were just incredible," he said.