Grandad runs marathon for granddaughter who had 50 seizures a day

An incredible grandad is running the London Marathon for Evelina London Children’s Charity, to give back to the hospital that saved his granddaughter’s life. 

Paul Stannard, 60, was inspired to run 26.2 miles for his 7-year-old granddaughter Indy Glover. In 2022, Indy was diagnosed with drug resistant epilepsy, a condition that was causing her to have up to 50 seizures a day. 

Her body was in a constant state of emergency.

Prior to her seizures, Indy had been a happy, healthy 4-year-old. Then, on the hottest day of the year in July 2022 Indy had her first seizure, a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affects how it works. These increased in frequency, and within 7 months she was having a seizure every half hour.

Indy’s mum, Hayley Davies, said: “Indy was having up to 50 seizures a day and on a cocktail of medications. Her body was in a constant state of emergency.

“Indy would tell me a seizure was coming before it happened. She slept in our bed and I was terrified to sleep. It was 24/7.”

Hayley became Indy’s around the clock carer, and the whole family stepped up to support. Paul, Indy’s grandad, said: “I was watching both my daughter and granddaughter be the strongest people for each other.” 

Following investigations, in September 2022 Indy was referred to the neurology team at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where she was finally diagnosed with drug resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy is a tendency to have recurrent seizures and affects approximately 1 in 100 children and young people in the UK. However, up to one third of young patients do not respond to medication, and continue to experience seizures.

Following her diagnosis at the specialist children’s hospital, Indy was given a lifeline to help her overcome her condition. Dr Shan Tang, consultant paediatric neurologist at Evelina London, referred Indy for emergency surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to remove parts of the temporal lobe and hippocampus, the sections of the brain that were causing Indy’s frequent seizures.

Hayley said: “It is a very surreal feeling to desperately want your child to have brain surgery. Indy’s only chance to have her life back was to have surgery.

“She hadn’t been at school for a year, and she spent all her time in bed or hospital. Each time her brain has a prolonged seizure, it is like running a marathon. Daily seizures and such a high burden of medication meant Indy had no quality of life.”

The 7-hour surgery in February 2023 was a success and Indy has now been seizure free for over 2 years. Within 6 months Indy was able to return to school filled with energy, and is now able to enjoy playing music, roller-skating and crafting. She lives in Whitstable, Kent with her mum Hayley, 41, dad, Paul, 39, and her younger brother, Isaac, 4.

Hayley, a business owner, said: “Dr Tang is the most amazing woman I have ever met, she changed our whole lives. The hope is that Indy can live a medication and seizure free life after our whole world was turned upside down.”

Each time her brain has a prolonged seizure, it is like running a marathon.

Reflecting on Indy’s journey, Hayley said: “Indy never cried, she faced so much every day and showed so much resilience and bravery. We are so proud of her and we know she will go on to do something so wonderful with the strength she has gained from this.”

This month, Indy’s grandad, Paul is lacing up his trainers and taking on the 2025 TCS London Marathon for Evelina London Children’s Charity. He is doing it to help other families, like his, in their greatest time of need.

The company director from Thanet, Kent, who is hoping to raise £10,000 for the charity said: “It is a miracle that the teams at Evelina London and Great Ormond Street saved not only our granddaughter’s life, but our family’s life too. She’s had a long journey, but now her little brother has his sister back.”

“Every half hour Indy was dealing with unimaginable things, and doing it with such humility. For me to train for 8 months is nothing in comparison. If I can put one foot in front of another for 26.2 miles and raise awareness for the charity, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

The whole family, including Paul’s biggest supporter Indy, will be cheering him on for his first marathon. Hayley said: “I’m so proud of him. He has been such a pillar of strength for us as a family. He is incredible.”

Evelina London Children's Charity helps support the compassionate, trailblazing care of Evelina London, every day. This includes transforming hospital spaces into comfortable family-friendly areas that act as a home away from home for families, like Indy’s, when they need it most.

Hayley said: “Evelina London understands the daily pressure parents are under, and having spaces such as a parent’s room to take a few minutes to compose yourself away from your child in a private comfortable space is so important.”

Dr Shan Tang, Indy’s clinician, said: “It is fantastic to see Indy doing so well and seizure free 2 years on from her surgery. Her resilience is a testament to herself and her family.

“We are extremely grateful that Paul has chosen to run the London Marathon to raise money for Evelina London Children’s Charity, and the Evelina London team wish him the best of luck.”

Rachael Kiggell, director of fundraising at Evelina London Children’s Charity, said: “We are so grateful that Paul is fundraising for us. We support life-changing care for children in hospital and their families, including transforming clinical spaces into more comfortable areas, providing a much-needed opportunity to get away from the busyness of the ward. It is wonderful that Indy’s family can all come together in London again, this time to celebrate Indy and Paul’s fantastic fundraising. We are all cheering Paul across the finish line.” 

To support Paul's fundraising visit his JustGiving page.