A HUSBAND and wife who were advised to terminate their pregnancy are fundraising for The Sick Children's Trust as a thank you for the support they have received over the last five months. 

Victoria and Ashley Jones, from of Connies Road, Halstead, found out at their 12-week scan their baby son had a condition called Exomphalos Major.

It means his bowel, liver and stomach were growing outside his body.

He also has a number of heart defects and his lungs are not growing properly.

His condition was so severe consultants advised the couple to terminate the baby as they were young enough to try again.

However the battling couple decided to refuse, and their son George was born at Addenbrooks at the end of August. 

George, now 18-weeks-old has spent the majority of the time since his birth in hospital, but thanks to The Sick Children's Trust his parents were able to stay at the Hospital, rather than commuting from Halstead every day. 

Ashley said: "31st August 2016, our baby boy was born at The Rosie Hospital, Addenbrookes. We named him George Kenneth Jones.

"The next day, whilst Victoria was still admitted to the Hospital, I was about to go home for the night. 

"The last thing I wanted to do; leave George and Victoria.

"5pm that evening I was handed the keys to a room in Chestnut House, 'Home from Home living' by The Sick Children's Trust. 

"Thanks to this room I was able to be close to both of the two people that needed me close by. 

"Once Victoria was discharged from the hospital she was able to join me in Chestnut House.

"12 weeks we have stayed there, being able to be close to our son. Being just that 2 minute walk from his bedside in the time that he needed us close by until he became strong enough for us to be that over an hour drive back at home."

Ashley, his father, Mark, and sister, Lisa, will now take on a mammoth walking challenge in aid of the trust. 

The three have set their sights on walking 106km around the Isle of Wight in the space of a weekend. 

Ashley added: "I am not much of a walker, I have never completed anything like this in my life so it will be a real challenge. 

"I have wanted to do something for fundraiser for a while, but couldn't work out quite what to do because I wanted to do something that will really test myself. 

"I know it is nothing compared to what George goes through on an almost daily basis. 

"We have spent 12 weeks here, completely free of charge, and we are both really passionate about paying something back." 

The group have set themselves a target of raising £2,000 for this particular challenge, but Ashley is confident he will embark on more fundraising feats afterwards. 

Looking at a long term goal, Ashley is hopeful of raising £1,000 for every week that they have been given a room. 

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ash-jones87.