Family raises more than £14,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after son’s life-saving sepsis care

A Wigan family is marking Sepsis Awareness Month by sharing how their gratitude for the lifesaving sepsis care their son received at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital has inspired them to raise more than £14,000 to help other children and families at the hospital.

Kate and Joe Musgrave have spent the last eight years fundraising in support of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, after the team cared for their son, Archie, following a life-threatening case of sepsis when he was just five years old.

Archie’s Story

In 2018, Archie became seriously unwell and was diagnosed with meningitis B, which later developed into sepsis. He was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where he spent five days in a coma before receiving further specialist care and rehabilitation before eventually being discharged home two weeks later.

Determined to give back to the team that cared for Archie, Kate and her family have rallied friends, family and their local community to raise funds for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Their various fundraising efforts have included a fun day in Hindley, raising more than £5,000, as well as Archie’s grandfather Ste climbing Cat Bells in the Lake District in 2022, his nan Cathy taking part in a sponsored head shave that raised just under £1,500 and a local Easter egg collection organised by family and friends.

More recently, Westhoughton Golf Club has helped the family continue their fundraising after choosing to support the hospital throughout 2025. The club raised more than £4,000 through a range of activities, including a Captain’s Charity Day, raffles, a tombola and golf ball sales. The fundraising was inspired by Archie’s story, with his grandmother, Ann Musgrave, Kate’s mum, working as the club’s Catering Manager.

After Archie’s Sepsis Care

Now aged 13, Archie continues to receive care at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, attending for regular check-ups, undergoing operations, and receiving physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Kate said: “Archie’s illness changed our lives overnight. Seeing our little boy so seriously unwell and fighting for his life was the most frightening time we have ever experienced as a family.

“The support we received from hospital staff was fantastic. Their care for Archie throughout such a difficult time truly meant the world to us and helped us through some of our darkest days. We will always be incredibly grateful for the care and compassion our family received.

“That’s why we’re still fundraising for the hospital all these years later. We want to give something back to the team who cared for Archie and help make sure other children and families can receive the same support when they need it most. We are so proud to be able to support the hospital and the incredible work it does for patients and families.”

Anna Rosehill, Relationship Officer for Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, which raises funds for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, said: “Archie’s story shows the long-lasting impact that specialist care can have on children and their families. The generosity of supporters like Archie’s family, Westhoughton Golf Club and the wider community help us fund equipment, research and projects that make a difference for children and families cared for at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to Archie, Kate and their family for all of their fantastic fundraising efforts!”