After spending nine days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Bassetlaw Hospital in August 2024, Stuart McCluskie is now running a 50-mile-ultra-marathon to raise funds for this team who saved his life.
Whilst training for a 100-mile ultra marathon, the 50-year-old Bassetlaw resident battled pneumonia so severe, that he was almost placed in a coma.
On admitted to the unit, Stuart said: “I felt like I didn’t need to be there. I almost felt like a fraud, and it was only about three months after discharge that I realised how severe my case was.
“The nurses informed my loved ones that I was incredibly fortunate to still be here.”
The cause of his turn is still unknown, and it was the team’s rapid response that saved Stuart’s life: “The team were nothing short of outstanding and very professional. They put up with me pestering them about when I could start running again.”
After being discharged in early September, Stuart realised that it was going to take time and patience to fully recover and return to his usual level of activity, but he continued circuit training for ten days – slowly upping his distance every day.
“On day one from my release from hospital, I set the goal of walking to the bottom of the garden and back, around 30 metres. Little did I know how much my body had endured and it took me 20 minutes to recover.
“I struggled in the early days. With me being bedbound for nearly two weeks I didn’t realise how much my muscles had wasted away.”
Regardless, just four months after leaving the hospital, Stuart completed his first half marathon: “My goal was to make it round in one piece. This was my slowest half marathon, but it remains the most important I’ve ever completed.”
Since then, Stuart has completed a multitude of endurance events – including several half marathons and an overnight event – to build up to this milestone challenge, and now, almost exactly a year on, he is preparing to take on the Rotherham Round Ultra.
After clocking up months of training sessions and races with trusty running partner, Diesel the Dalmatian, Stuart is excited and ready to take on this gruelling 50-mile race around the boundary of Rotherham – marking not only a personal triumph, but also a heartfelt thank you to the hospital team who cared for him.
Stuart has regularly returned to ICU to share his story with staff, and even to deliver gifts of Tunnocks Teacakes – which became a running joke during his stay – and has now started raising funds through his JustGiving page for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity, and specifically the team at Bassetlaw Hospital ICU.
Stuart concluded: “The funds raised will significantly contribute to the welfare of patients who find themselves in need of care during their most vulnerable moments.
“Together, we can ensure that others receive the same level of compassionate care that helped me on my journey to recovery.”
You can support Stuart here.
