A husband and wife are running the London Marathon to raise money for the hospital which saved their son’s life.

Martha and Bobbie Buchan, from Dereham, are running the race in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

Their son, Edward, had open heart surgery aged 18 months at the London hospital,

He underwent an operation in July 2018 to close a hole in the valve of his heart and made a remarkable recovery and remains fighting fit to this day.

Dereham Times: Martha and Bobbie Buchan (inset) with two of their children, Edward and CharlesMartha and Bobbie Buchan (inset) with two of their children, Edward and Charles (Image: Bobbie Buchan)

Mr Buchan said: “At the time we always wanted to give something back, Covid played a big part in the delay and now I’ve left the army after 25 years I can commit to it.

“From our time spent at this hospital and our dealings with them, we have always wanted to try and give something back and although nothing will ever repay our thanks to them for saving our baby’s life, we hugely appreciate how much the charity funding is relied upon.

“Our contribution is minimal, but every little bit contributes to helping those children and the families who are unfortunate enough to be patients.

Dereham Times: The couple's son, Edward had life-saving heart surgery at Great Ormond Street HospitalThe couple's son, Edward had life-saving heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (Image: Bobbie Buchan)

“Some of the sights we saw down there, it was heart-wrenching. Although our 18-month-old had major heart surgery, we got to take him home, but so many others are not as fortunate as us.”

Mrs Buchan is the daughter of Paul Sandford, landlord of the Railway Tavern in Dereham.

The pub has been doing its bit to fundraise, such as a Christmas Grotto with the help of Graham Laycock last December.

Dereham Times: The couple's son, Edward had life-saving heart surgery at Great Ormond Street HospitalThe couple's son, Edward had life-saving heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (Image: Paul Sandford)

This raised £1,343 and was split between SUDEP Action and the fundraising efforts.

On April 13, the pub will be holding a fundraising day with children’s entertainment, The Backdrafts Live, an auction of promises and a raffle with all proceeds towards the Great Ormond Street Hospital fundraising appeal.

You can donate to their fundraising effort here