Tring mother taking on London Marathon for NCT friend’s baby with disabilities

Lauren Dietz, 35, met Moira Rodan, 40, from Hemel Hempstead at an NCT class before their eldest sons, now 5, were born.

Rico's Journey

Rico Haddad, now aged 18 months, was born not breathing and needed six minutes of resuscitation. Following a brain scan, his parents Moira Rodan, 40, and Alexander Haddad, 41, were told to say goodbye and life support was switched off.

However, Rico unexpectedly started breathing, feeding and moving independently, and was able to go home after three weeks.

Mum Moira, who also has another son Rafa, 5, said: ‘Rico has been diagnosed with epilepsy, global developmental delay, and cortical visual impairment. All we want to do is give him the best chance possible to learn, improve, and reach his potential. His seizures are under control, his vision and hearing seem to be developing, and he is 100% orally fed and being weaned onto solids slowly. There are so many positives! We hope there will be more.

Gaps in NHS provision

‘The NHS has provided us with basic assessments and therapies, but there is so much more available to help Rico with his brain development. For the first year, we funded both alternative therapies and essential treatments ourselves (physiotherapy, cranial osteopathy, ABM therapy, ophthalmology, chiropractor, ENT), but the funds are now running out. So, we are planning to raise funds in any way we can to pay for more physiotherapy and help Rico’s brain rewire itself. He isn’t yet rolling or crawling, but he has come so far already and seems to fight every hurdle presented to him.’

Lauren's London Marathon fundraising challenge

‘We are immensely grateful to our family, friends and supporters who have already raised around £5,000 to help support his needs. I’m hugely grateful to Lauren for taking on the challenge of the London Marathon for him – it means a lot to us.’

Journalist Lauren said: ‘I have never run anything like a marathon before and hadn’t really done any running since having children. But I supported a friend in last year’s London Marathon, loved the atmosphere and fancied the challenge, so I decided to enter the ballot and leave it to the Gods of running to decide.’

‘When I got a place, I immediately knew I wanted to use it to help raise fund for Rico. Running a marathon is a challenge but it’s nothing compared to the strength that little boy shows. I’m delighted to do whatever I can to support him to help him reach his own goals.

Tree of Hope Children's Charity Support

Rico’s family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Rico with healthcare needs which cannot be provided by the NHS and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.

How to help

To donate to Rico’s fund or to sponsor Lauren, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/ways-to-give/childrens-campaigns/fundraising-for-rico/

or https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lauren-runs-2025