Little Ollie Bailey looked a perfectly healthy baby but had to be rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis when he was only six weeks old. Medics at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital discovered he had been born with a kidney condition called reflux and their prompt actions saved his life, when his parents feared he might not survive.

Little Ollie Bailey looked a perfectly healthy baby but had to be rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis when he was only six weeks old.

Medics at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital discovered he had been born with a kidney condition called reflux and their prompt actions saved his life, when his parents feared he might not survive.

It was a horrific time for Ollie and his family, of Lavender Close, Attleborough, who are showing their gratitude by raising money for charity to help other people with kidney problems.

“We thought we were going to lose him, but thanks to the quick responses from the hospital they diagnosed the reflux and managed to get Ollie back to being a happy little boy,” mum Gemma Bailey said.

“Ollie is in and out of hospital regularly and he will have this condition for a long time. There is a potential risk of an operation but he has narrowly avoided it so far. He is like any normal baby boy and he has just had his first birthday, which is fantastic.

“As a result of all this, my husband Michael and his brother Stephen have decided to raise money for the Kidney Research UK charity because we want to help other people that are going through the same thing as Ollie.”

The two men, who are in their early twenties, are running the Great North Run 2008 on October 5. They aim to raise £1,000 and are looking for people and companies to sponsor them. “We believe this is a great cause,” added Mrs Bailey.

Anyone wishing to provide sponsorship should contact the family on 01953 451546, or visit the websites: www.justgiving.com/mikeandolliebailey and www.justgiving.com/stephenbailey where more details are available.