Young fundraiser and mum raise more than £1k for Tameside hospital’s neonatal unit

A seven-year-old boy and his mum raised more than £1,000 for their local hospital by taking part in a sponsored walk during lockdown.

Mason Hussain and his mother, Emma Hussain, 31, were raising money for Tameside Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

Their sponsored walk of 10 miles took a total of two hours and 41 minutes to complete.

For the event they wore T-shirts featuring rainbows and rainbow colours to show their appreciation for the NHS.

The NICU unit at Tameside Hospital has been a very supportive environment for Emma. Out of her three children, both Mason and 11-month-old Amayah have received the care from the team as new-borns. 

Emma, 31, said: “The unit is so special as it has helped Mason and Amayah, without their help the kids wouldn’t be here today’.’

Emma described the team as “the most incredible people you could ever meet, they take so much care into looking after the babies. They, treat them like their own family they sit there singing to them cuddling them feeding them etc. They are the loveliest people you could ever meet. I couldn’t be any prouder of the NICU team at Tameside.”

Mason added: “They are such lovely people.”

He said: “Thank you to all the staff that helped, to everyone that sponsored us and helped support us, we are very grateful.”

The mother and son were determined to fundraise money for the team at Tameside.

Emma said: “It was my idea, but when Mason heard me talking to my mum about it, he then asked me if he could help and do it with me as he knows how much it means to me.”

They were both overwhelmed with the agenerous donations received during what was a difficult time for many people.

“It’s made us want to do it again from the amazing response we got. Mason loved it, he was so proud, he was struggling towards the last few miles, but he did it,” Emma said.

“He makes me the proudest mum ever, my boy, heart of gold, will do anything for anyone.’’