A devoted mum whose teenage son has an undiagnosed metabolic condition has completed the first of three major walking challenges to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Lauren Tournay-Godfrey, 39, recently took part in the charity’s Pier 2 Pier Suffolk fundraiser – a demanding 16-mile trek from Lowestoft to Southwold.
Now she is preparing for two more endurance events in 2027 – the London Winter Walk, in January, and the North Norfolk 50 Challenge, in June.
Lauren, a teacher at Churchill School in Haverhill, is fundraising as a way of thanking EACH for the support her family has received over the past 15 years from the team at The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
Her son, Zac, now 15, was just 36 hours old when he stopped breathing due to a condition called MADD (Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency).
He was rushed by ambulance from Stowmarket to Ipswich Hospital and required CPR during the journey. Although given oxygen, Zac did not breathe independently for several days.
“We didn’t think he was going to survive, and I was preparing myself for the very worst,” said Lauren.
“That was when we were first put in touch with EACH, when we were preparing to go down the end-of-life route.
“It was a horrible, awful time, and it feels like a lifetime ago now. It’s almost like it happened to someone else, rather than me.”
After spending three to four weeks in hospital, Zac’s condition gradually stabilised. Today, he enjoys life with his family, which includes brothers Aidan, 18, and Jake, 13, and six-year-old sister Poppy.
“Zac’s a lovely lad with a cheeky personality,” said Lauren.
“He’s non-verbal but communicates by grunting and making certain noises. Sometimes he can be extremely sarcastic.
“He loves water and having baths. Anyone at the hospice will tell you that people around him often end up getting drenched!
“He also loves being outdoors, whatever the weather, as long as he’s warm, and he’s a big fan of chocolate.
“I’m so proud because despite everything, he’s normally such a happy, spirited lad.”
Lauren completed the Pier 2 Pier Suffolk walk on 12th September, finishing the route in just under four hours.
“I was very happy with that time,” she said.
“By the end, I was very ready to finish. My legs were like jelly.
“Although I did most of the walk on my own, I enjoyed talking to people beforehand, and it was particularly inspiring to hear another mum talking about her son and the support her family receives from EACH.
“I’m very glad I did it, and it was a great way to raise funds and awareness while also doing something for my own health and wellbeing.”
EACH has been part of Lauren and Zac’s life since his earliest days, providing care and support at The Treehouse.
“The main thing we benefit from is short breaks, which he always enjoys,” said Lauren.
“Zac loves his time at the hospice and the one-to-one attention he gets there.
“The respite also gives me a break, which is so welcome and allows me to catch my breath and have some time to myself, or spend time with my other children doing things that aren’t always suitable or accessible to Zac.
“My other children have also enjoyed sibling days and the opportunity to spend time with other children in a similar position.”
Lauren hopes her fundraising will help ensure other families can access the same support.
“Raising money is very important to me because it’s my way of showing appreciation for everything we’ve received through the years,” she said.
“I also want to help ensure other families in our position have the same experience and receive the same level of support.
“I hadn’t even heard about EACH until Zac was born and probably had the same opinion many people have, that a hospice is a place filled with doom and gloom. In reality, it’s nothing like that, and I’m always telling people what a special place The Treehouse is.
“It’s also reassuring knowing there’s always someone at the end of the phone if we need help.”
Looking ahead, Lauren admits she also has one eye on the future, with Zac eventually needing to transition from children’s services.
For now, though, her focus is firmly on completing her trio of fundraising walks and giving something back to the charity that has supported her family for more than a decade.
To support Lauren’s fundraising efforts, visit her JustGiving page.
