A NEW Bromsgrove mum took up running to raise cash for the hospital where her baby son underwent "amazing" treatment - and she ended up losing nearly seven stone into the bargain.

Steph Connellan, aged 24, of Finstall, ballooned to 16-and-a-half stone while she was pregnant with her first child, Charlie, who was born with excess fat tissue on his right knee.

But, as Birmingham Children's Hospital helped Charlie through his problem, she resolved to take up running - with the twin aims of losing weight and raising money to say thank you for his treatment.

Having never run before, she started training in April and now she is ready to do her first half marathon on October 18.

She has already smashed through her target of raising £1,500 for the hospital.

And she is pleased to have got her figure back, getting back down to nine stone but still able to eat chocolate every day.

After months of tests, Charlie was strong enough, at the age of nine months, to go into theatre for nearly four hours of surgery to have his excess fat tissue removed.

Six weeks later his knee became infected and he was back in hospital for more treatment, with daily blood tests to see how his body was taking the antibiotics.

Another three days later he had to have a build-up of fluid removed before being put on to oral antibiotics and he was soon discharged.

Charlie, who will celebrate his first birthday on Friday, October 9, is now recovering well, although Miss Connellan is still waiting to find out if his rare condition will cause problems in the future.

She said: "I couldn't cope with the amount of weight I put on in pregnancy - but also wanted to do something amazing for the hospital.

"Charlie is the reason I am going to complete this half marathon - I feel like I owe the Birmingham Children's Hospital so much and it would be fantastic to give something back for all their hard work."

Miss Connellan says she has not really dieted and it is mainly the running that has melted away her pregnancy weight.

"I've cut down a bit on chocolate - but still have some every day," she added.

She is due to take part in the Morrisons Great Birmingham Run on October 18 and anyone who wants to donate can text CACE57, with the desired amount of £1, £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.