A Gloucester father is preparing to run his first half marathon this weekend to raise funds for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the hospital that saved his daughter’s life after a critical brain bleed last year.
Isabella Fernandez was just 12 years old when, on May 19, 2023, she was rushed to Gloucester Royal Hospital after showing symptoms of vomiting and severe head pain. Scans confirmed a brain bleed, and she was immediately transferred by ambulance to Bristol for emergency surgery.
Isabella’s recovery was long and challenging. She spent weeks in intensive care, followed by stays in high dependency and neurological wards. In August 2024, shortly before turning 13, she underwent a second delicate surgery—a craniotomy performed while she was awake.
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Now, almost exactly one year after that life-changing day, Isabella’s father Marcos Fernandez, 45, from Kingsway, Gloucester, will run the Great Bristol Half Marathon on May 10. He is raising money for Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity to give back to the incredible healthcare team that cared for his daughter.
Marcos explained his motivation: “It had to be Bristol. After everything we went through there, this race felt right. The night before Isabella’s surgery, I just asked the doctors to give her a chance—and they did. I’m running this race for Isabella and all the other children who rely on this amazing hospital.
“I’m no seasoned runner and have never gone beyond 10k, so 13.1 miles is a big step for me. Training has been tough, and I have a new respect for marathon runners—it’s a lot harder than it seems!”
Reflecting on the family’s experience with Bristol Children’s Hospital, Marcos said, “The care we received was incredible, from doctors and nurses to porters and reception staff. Everyone made us feel supported during a time that was so stressful.
“For Isabella, being awake during such major surgery was frightening, but she faced it bravely while the team worked tirelessly. The success of the operation was a huge relief, even though the journey hasn’t ended—she still deals with tiredness, headaches, and brain fog.
“I am endlessly grateful for the hospital’s care—they literally saved my daughter’s life.”
On race day, Isabella will be there to cheer her dad on along with friends and family. Marcos has already raised nearly £1,500 and hopes to increase the total to support other families going through similar ordeals.
“We were lucky, but seeing other children in hospital who weren’t as fortunate motivates me to raise as much as I can. This is the least I can do to give back to the hospital that helped us so much.”
Sarah Pryer, Director of Fundraising & Marketing for the charity, added, “Supporters like Marcos make a real difference. The funds raised will help us provide vital support to patients, their families, and NHS staff when they need it most.”