‘Thank you for giving me my dad back’

A daughter is raising money to thank hospital staff who saved her dad’s life.

Kayleigh Arthurs is planning to run the London Landmarks half marathon next year for East Kent Hospitals Charity, as a way of giving back to the teams who cared for her dad Nigel Avery.

The 57-year-old spent more than 100 days in the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in 2022 after collapsing at home. He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which left him completely paralysed and relying on a ventilator to breathe.

Nigel, who lives in Ash and works at a primary school in Broadstairs, has since made a full recovery and returned to the wards with his beloved dog Martha, now a therapy dog, to visit other patients and give them hope.

Kayleigh, 31, who works as head of HR for an international charity, said: “Within days of his collapse my dad was fighting for his life.

“This was the darkest time for us as a family, not knowing if he would survive, and the help and support we all received from Kent and Canterbury Hospital was second to none.

“I’m running the half marathon in recognition of the amazing work they do and as my own personal thank you to them for giving me my dad back.

“He was able to walk me down the aisle at my wedding in May, after having to learn to walk again, and it meant so much to have him there by my side.”

Nigel spent 60 days in critical care, before moving to a specialist neuro-rehabilitation ward at the hospital, where he had to learn to walk, talk and speak again.

Martha was able to join the family on some visits, which helped remind him of all that was waiting for him at home.

Kayleigh said: “Martha is his best friend and they really missed each other so we were so grateful the staff were able to arrange for her to visit.

“The second time they did it he had regained some movement and he was able to smile and it was the most fantastic moment.

“Anyone who knows me will attest that I am no runner, but I want to do this as a thank you for everything the amazing staff did for dad and all of us.”

Kayleigh and her family previously fundraised for the charity by walking 200 miles in a month while Nigel was still in hospital. He had originally planned to walk 100 miles with Martha before he fell ill.

The London Landmarks half marathon takes place on 6 April next year – to sponsor Kayleigh visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/kayleigh-arthurs-fundraiser-llhm