Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I'm running this year's Belfast City Marathon because, through joining a great running club in Ballymena, I've been inspired by one of the nicest families I've ever met whose wonderful 5 year old son Ethan has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. 

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a severe genetic muscle wasting condition for which there is currently NO cure. The condition is usually diagnosed in early childhood and affects mainly boys with very rare instances of girls developing the disease. Children are often in a wheelchair at the age of 10 and by their teenage years many are totally paralysed and can suffer respiratory, heart and spinal problems.

Without expert medical care these young men will die by their late teens or early 20's. Every year an average of 100 young men die of Duchenne and an equal amount of young boys are diagnosed with the disease. There are 2500 people living with Duchenne in the UK. All face short life expectancy.

More information on the charity Action Duchenne, which is led by Duchenne families, is available to the side of this page. When I think of my own life a number of the best things to happen to me, including getting in to running, seeing other countries, meeting great people and starting my own wee family, happened after my mid-twenties and I want to, even if it is a small bit, try to help young children like Ethan and their families to also get the chance to experience such things and not be denied the opportunity to live a full life without such suffering.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.