The amazing Steve Thornley is pushing himself once again in 2016 for Team Jacum to help The Lily Foundation do three things;

1. Support families affected by Mitochondrial Disease
   
2. Raise vital awareness of this cruel disease that takes too many lives far too early
3. Fund vital research into better diagnosis, treatment and ultimately a cure

This year he has so far booked himself to do 15 events including 3 half Iron Mans! 

You can donate here or text STTJ99 £5 to 70070 -but why is he putting himself through this? 

He is doing all this in memory of Jacob Wright who lost his fight with Mitochondrial Disease in 2012 at just 16 months. You can read his story here http://www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk/your-stories/jacob-wright/

• Every 20 minutes a child is born who has genetic
  changes that which can cause Mitochondrial Disease

• Mitochondrial Disease can effect patients at any
  age and effect any organ in the body.

• 1 in 5000 of the population are estimated to be
  effected but it is likely to be higher as the condition often is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed

• Faulty Mitochondria have been linked to other
  common diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, Cancer and Autism amongst others

• Symptoms are diverse and often progressive. They
  include – strokes, seizures, muscle weakness, gastrointestinal disorders,swallowing difficulties, cardiac disease, liver disease, blindness, deafness,brain damage and susceptibility to infections.

• There are few effective treatments and no cure
   - meaning that babies born with the disease have little chance of
  survival

He's doing the hard work so if we can do a little to help him by donating a few pounds to support this charity that gives hope to so many - then that's an amazing thing!

Thank you very very much!

Steve's events for 2016:

5th March Dambuster Duathlon

10th April Bourne 10k

17^th April Southwell Sprint Tri

01st May Lincoln Sprint Tri

5th June Woodhall Spa 10K

12th June Stafford 70.3 Ironman

26^th June Woodhall Spa sprint Tri

3rd July Outlaw Half Ironman Holkham

10th July Spalding Sprint Tri

31st July Cambridge Tri

29th August Grimsthorpe 10k

10th Sep Dambuster Vitruvian

9^th October Great Eastern Run,

Oct-Nov Off Road Duathlons (Dates TBC)