Taylor's marathon fundraiser for hospital that saved his life

A courageous teenage footballer has raised a four-figure sum for Alder Hey Children's Hospital - to thank them for saving his life.

Taylor Crabb, 17, has been pounding the streets on a month-long sponsored run, covering a magnificent 1,200km.

The supreme effort has involved Taylor tackling 24 runs of 5km each during October, while also fitting in his commitments as a youth player (and supporter) at Runcorn Linnets.

Taylor with Jamie Usher and his other team mates from Runcorn Linnets Under 18s Blues and (in black kit) Revolution U19s.

Originally hoping to bring in £500, Taylor has exceeded all expectations.

After revising his target several times and through holding a bucket collection at a Linnets first-team home game, he has (at the last count) raised £1,876 for the hospital.

It is an outstanding achievement, made all the more remarkable because Taylor has Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

Three years ago, he was left fighting for his life in intensive care.

Taylor had been admitted to Warrington General with a raging temperature, vomiting and a rash all over body.

Taylor was soon transferred to Alder Hey to undergo further tests and treatments.

Apparently improving, he was allowed home after a week, but soon fell ill again.

"After a few days, my rash was back," he explained.

"I was really unwell again and my lymph nodes were raised all through my body. That night was the worst.

"I went to Alder Hey A&E and I was taken through to resuscitation. The staff were amazing, telling me it was precaution and reassuring me.

Taylor was very seriously ill but is very grateful for the care he received while in hospital.

"I don't remember much from then apart from lots of people coming and going, lots of poking and prodding and the next thing I was in intensive care.

"I had been sedated and given lifesaving medication to help my heart. My immune system had gone into overdrive and my heart couldn't cope."

While, thankfully they stabilised the condition, medics were unable to positively identify the cause.

It was only last autumn that they discovered what exactly was wrong.

"I had lots of tests, I went down to theatre a number of times and had to have bone marrow aspersion, and lymph nodes removed from my neck and biopsies from my bones and skin.

"Waiting for results with all the uncertainty was really worrying.

"I had tests sent to Liverpool Tropical School of Medicine and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

"After a few weeks, I was well enough to come home but we still didn't have answers to what had made me so unwell.

"My body had entered a state called HLH and they couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen again.

"I went on steroids and probably doubled in weight. Being in school at the time and not being well enough to exercise this was a really hard time for me," added Taylor, a former Sandymoor School pupil, who is now studying software development at Cronton Sixth Form College.

"We were back and two to Alder Hey every month for blood tests."

In September 2024, Taylor was readmitted to the hospital, when symptoms started to flare up again.

He explained: "After more trips to theatre and further tests, I was finally diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

"I remain under the care of the rheumatology unit and my condition is managed by a weekly injection.

"I have joint pain and struggle mostly with fatigue. But I'm the healthiest I have been for years."

Taylor says doing something to repay Alder Hey for their care is the very least he could do.

"I truly owe my life to Alder Hey," he admitted. "The care, compassion and reassurance that every single member of staff showed me and my family throughout was exceptional, from the cleaners to the top consultants. I will be eternally grateful."

Taylor met the Mayor of Halton, Councillor Martha Lloyd Jones and her consort Peter Lloyd Jones at APEC Taxis Stadium. Also on the top photo are Josh's mum, dad and brother. Pictures by Millie Beamish.

Taylor has also had the loving support of his parents Dave and Maria along with brother Josh, 21.

His recovery has also been spurred by his friends plus Linnets coaches and players with some of his team-mates joining him on the runs.

"My route changed a few times," added Taylor. "It was all over Runcorn.

"I did a few on my own, a few with friends and a few with both my footy teams."

Despite his traumatic ordeal, Taylor has remained positive, fighting back to resume his football career as a midfielder for Linnets' Blues Under 17s and Revolution U18s.

He regular attends as a fan, mostly the men's team which hs follows home and away, but he has been seen at U21s and Ladies games too.

Taylor also plays darts - alongside his dad - for Linnets Chuckers in the Runcorn League.

Taylor flies the Linnets flag with Josh Christian.