Wigan family raises funds after son’s meningitis and sepsis 2026

Key Points

• Archie Musgrave, who comes from Wigan, contracted meningitis B and became seriously ill in 2018 at the age of five and later developed sepsis.
• He stayed in a coma for five days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and then received further treatment.
• Currently 13 years old, Archie regularly visits the hospital for checks, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy treatments and had to undergo several surgeries.
• The boy’s parents, Kate and Joe, have already collected £14,000 for the hospital within eight years, stating that the care provided by the staff members was life-changing for their family.
• The community raised money through a £5,000 fun day in Hindley, sponsored walks, and head shaves, as well as recently donating £4,000 by Westhoughton Golf Club.
• According to Anna Rosehill, an officer at Manchester Foundation Charity, the money is used for purchasing equipment and conducting research and projects in the hospital.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) September 02, 2026 — A Wigan family has described how their lives were transformed after their son Archie Musgrave developed a life-threatening illness at the age of five, leading to days in a coma and years of ongoing treatment at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The Musgraves’ account, shared during Sepsis Awareness Month, outlines the immediate medical crisis in 2018, the long-term impact on daily life, and the family’s sustained fundraising efforts to support the hospital that cared for Archie.

What happened to Archie Musgrave in 2018?

In 2018, Archie Musgrave was diagnosed with meningitis B, a serious bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. According to details provided by the family, the condition escalated into sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection that requires urgent medical intervention. Archie was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where he remained in a coma for five days. Following this critical period, he stayed in hospital for further specialist care and rehabilitation as part of his recovery.

How has Archie’s health progressed since 2018?

Now 13 years old, Archie continues to receive treatment at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, reflecting the long-term nature of his condition. He has undergone multiple surgeries and attends regular appointments for check-ups, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. These ongoing clinical needs illustrate the extended pathway of care that can follow severe paediatric illness, particularly when complications such as sepsis occur.

Why are the Musgraves fundraising for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital?

Kate and Joe Musgrave, Archie’s parents, have dedicated the past eight years to raising funds for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, accumulating £14,000 to date. Speaking during Sepsis Awareness Month, Kate Musgrave said:

“Archie’s illness changed our lives overnight. Witnessing our little boy so gravely ill and battling for his life was the most terrifying experience we’ve ever faced as a family. The support we received from the hospital staff was remarkable.”

She added:

“Their dedication to Archie during such a challenging period truly meant everything to us and helped us navigate some of our darkest moments. We will forever be incredibly thankful for the kindness and care our family experienced. That’s why we continue to fundraise for the hospital even after all these years. We aim to give back to the team that cared for Archie and ensure that other children and families receive similar support when they need it most. We are immensely proud to contribute to the hospital and the outstanding work it does for patients and families.”

How has the Wigan community supported the fundraising?

Archie’s friends, relatives and the wider local community have participated in fundraising activities to support the hospital. A fun day held in Hindley raised £5,000, while additional contributions came from sponsored walks and head shaves organised in support of Archie’s cause. More recently, Westhoughton Golf Club donated £4,000 to the fundraising effort. The initiative at the golf club was inspired by Archie’s journey; his grandmother, Ann Musgrave Kate’s mother works as the club’s catering manager.

What do hospital charity officials say about the impact of donations?

Anna Rosehill, an officer for Manchester Foundation Charity, which supports Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, commented on the significance of the funds raised. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Anna Rosehill stated:

“Archie’s story illustrates the enduring influence that specialized care can have on children and their families. The support of Archie’s family, Westhoughton Golf Club, and the broader community enables us to finance equipment, research, and projects that significantly impact children and families receiving care at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. We are deeply thankful to Archie, Kate, and their family for their remarkable fundraising contributions.”

The charity directs such donations towards equipment, research and projects that benefit paediatric patients and their families at the hospital.

Where can people find information on supporting the hospital?

Further information on how to support Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is available via the Manchester Foundation Trust Charity website.

Background to the development

The Musgrave family’s public account emerges during Sepsis Awareness Month, a period often used by health organisations and charities to highlight the risks of sepsis and the importance of rapid recognition and treatment. Meningitis B, the infection that initially affected Archie, is known to carry a risk of progression to sepsis, particularly in young children, and can lead to intensive care admission and prolonged rehabilitation. Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital provides specialist paediatric services across Greater Manchester and the surrounding region, including intensive care, surgical interventions and long-term therapy services for children with complex needs. Community fundraising for hospital charities in the region commonly supports equipment upgrades, research initiatives and family support projects that complement NHS-funded care.

Prediction: How this development may affect families and local audiences

For families in Wigan and across Greater Manchester, the Musgraves’ experience underscores the potential for sudden, severe paediatric illness to reshape daily life and create long-term care requirements. Public awareness of sepsis and meningitis symptoms may increase as such stories receive coverage, potentially encouraging earlier presentation to medical services and faster escalation within primary and emergency care pathways. Locally, the visibility of community fundraising through events in Hindley, contributions from Westhoughton Golf Club and sustained parental advocacy may motivate other households to engage with hospital charity initiatives, thereby expanding the resource base available for equipment and family support at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. For audiences following regional news, the story also highlights the role of hospital charities in bridging gaps in paediatric care, which could influence public understanding of where donations are directed and how they translate into clinical and supportive services for children and families.