Doncaster rugby fans set off on marathon trek to help sick tot

Seth Grainger, who is 18 months old, was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia - a condition which caused his bowel and part of his stomach to grow in his chest.

He was given a 50-50 survival chance by doctors and has already endured a series of operations and will have to undergo further checks and tests as he grows up.

And today a group of Doncaster Rugby League Club set off on a walk from the club's Keepmoat Stadium over the Pennines to Rochdale's Spotland Stadium to help raise funds for Sheffield Children's Hospital, where Seth was treated and CDH UK, the charity for children born with CDH.

His dad Karl is among those taking on the 60 mile trek and said: "Seth was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia where a hole in his diaphragm caused his bowel and part of his stomach to develop and grow in his chest.

"This then restricts the growth of the lungs as there is no room in the chest for them to develop.He was given a 50 /50 chance of survival at the 20 week scan stage as a lot of babies with the condition don't make it to the birth and operation stage. Even if babies do make it to the operation stage after birth , if the blood vessels around the lungs don't develop properly then the baby will not survive."

Seth had his first operation at Sheffield Children's Hospital at two days old and then had to have another operation at two weeks of age after he re-herniated when part of his bowel went through the stitching from his first operation.

In the second operation, he was given a patch to fill the hole in his diaphragm.

Added Karl: "Seth has to have regular checks at Sheffield to make sure his small lung is growing properly and at the moment he is doing fine."

Seth is already a regular supporter at home and away games with his dad Karl and mum Natalie.

From Friday to Sunday, five supporters will be taking on the gruelling walk across the Pennines.

Added Karl: "Sheffield Children's Hospital saved Seth's life by giving him the operations he needed to repair his hernia and cared for him afterwards. We will be forever grateful for the hard work of all of the staff at the hospital."

If anyone would like to support fund raising please go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/sethgrainger.