Mum tackles fear of heights on Eye

An Ashford mum conquered her fear of heights by taking a spin on the London Eye to raise money for charity accommodation that helped her to stay close to her seriously-ill baby while he was treated in a London hospital.

Ema Thomson, 28, who has a phobia of heights and confined spaces, took a trip on the London landmark recently to raise cash for Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families with children in hospital.

Ema was given a place to stay at the Charity’s House by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital when her baby son Kenny was treated for severe bronchiolitis at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Kenny was unexpectedly rushed to London from the William Harvey Hospital last October for specialist treatment. Being provided with accommodation close to her sick son’s hospital saved Ema a lengthy return trip from her home in Ashford each day.

As a thank you for the support she received, Ema was sponsored by friends, family and work colleagues at SGN in Wotton Road to ride on the London Eye and is splitting the £500-plus she raised between Ronald McDonald House Charities and the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) ward at the Evelina.

She said: “The hospital saved our son’s life. The London Eye is the first landmark you see when you leave the hospital so I decided to use a trip on it to fundraise.” She was accompanied on the ride by her daughter Lily, four, and her mum and dad Julie and David Harding.

Husband Aaron stayed at home with Kenny, who wasn’t well enough to be there on the day. Donations can be made on uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ EmaThomson

Ema Thomson faces up to her fear of heights with daughter Lily on the London Eye. Right, Ema and son Kenny when he was in hospital