AFTER their youngest son spent the first 19 days of his life in hospital, a Halesowen family are going on a bear hunt to help raise money for sick children.

Three-year-old Oliver Greaves is leading his family on a walk around Birmingham to find 100 bear sculptures as part of Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s ‘Big Sleuth’ challenge.

With the support of his younger brother Reggie – who was born with breathing problems and had to be placed in neonatal at Birmingham Women’s Hospital – and parents Sophie, 31, and Craig, aged 33, Oliver has so far found 79 of the giant sculptures.

Mum Sophie said: “When my youngest was born he wasn’t very well. He had breathing problems and was on oxygen. He also had low glucose levels and had a glucose wire into his belly.

“There were also problems with platelets in his blood and he had to have two blood transfusions. He then had to have two lumbar punctures and was treated for meningitis.

“Since then he has been to the children’s hospital for a MRI scan which was all clear, and we thought the hospital was lovely and all the staff were amazing, so we wanted to raise some money to help other poorly children.

“Even though Oliver doesn’t really understand what he is doing, I want him to grow up helping others and it’s something I want us to do every year.”

To support Oliver’s challenge and donate to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, visit www.justgiving.com/5f5a1d-bsl-100-bear-cent

There are more than 230 giant bear sculptures across Birmingham but the Big Sleuth trail has united 100 of them to for people to visit within 30 days as part of a fundraising challenge.