A COUPLE are taking part in the Brighton Marathon weekend to raise money for a charity that supported them when their son was critically ill.

Mark and Robyn Sweeting stayed at Ronald McDonald House Brighton with their son Flynn when he was just two years old. 

In 2007 Flynn was admitted to Eastbourne District General Hospital for two weeks before he was transferred to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

Flynn spent six weeks in a high dependency unit with empyema and pneumonia. 

The Argus: Charlie, Robyn and FlynnCharlie, Robyn and Flynn

Robyn, 46, spent all day every day with Flynn, and it was during this period of constant travelling that the couple found out about Ronald McDonald House Brighton and what it could offer.

Ronald McDonald House Brighton is an 18-bedroom free “home away from home” for families of children and premature babies being treated at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and Trevor Mann Baby Unit. 

The Brighton house helps over 200 families every year and since opening in 1999, it has looked after over 3,000 families, with one family staying for over a year.

During their time in Brighton, the couple's other son, Charlie, turned one. 

To allow Charlie to have some sort of celebration, Robyn and Mark took turns by the ward and in the House’s common areas, so they could spend time "celebrating" with their son Charlie, whilst staying by Flynn’s side. 

Mark, 48, said: “It meant everything. To be able to have that 'home from home' feeling whilst looking after Charlie and supporting Flynn was just amazing. 

“It meant we could stay together as a family during what was a horrendous six weeks. 

“It also allowed us to maintain some sense of normality for Flynn.”

Flynn made a full recovery and is now a very lively and sporty 16-year-old. 

This Sunday, Mark and Robyn will be taking part in the Brighton Marathon weekend 10k to raise money for RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities). 

Mark said: “Those weeks were the hardest we've spent together and to be able to show support is the least we could do to try and pay back the support we were given by RMHC Brighton.”

To cheer on Mark, Robyn and other runners, the team from the McDonald’s in London Road will be joining the RMHC Brighton team on top of the charity’s double-decker bus. 

Positioned by the seafront as the runners approach the final stretch of their run, the team of supporters on board the bus will be there to cheer and motivate runners.

McDonald’s London Road team will also be there to hand out goodie bags to the public which include fruit bags and orange juice. 

Yas Turen, who owns and operates the London Road restaurant, said: “The Brighton Marathon is always such a fun weekend for the whole community, but to have the bus here this year cheering on all of the runners, especially at the last mile, is truly amazing to do as a team. 

“It will be great fun. Especially knowing there will be people running for RMHC which is a cause close to our hearts. 

“Mark, Robyn, and all of the runners who are taking part will do an amazing job and should be very proud, and we’re glad we can support them on the day”.