Knowle youngster Ciaran takes on 'mixed up marathon' for sick friend - The Solihull Observer

Knowle youngster Ciaran takes on 'mixed up marathon' for sick friend

Solihull Editorial 19th Jun, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

A KIND-HEARTED Knowle youngster has taken on an impressive test of stamina and is running a mile every week for 26 weeks in his quest to complete a full marathon and raise money to help his friend ‘stay in the world longer’.

Eight-year-old Ciaran Thompson has vowed to complete his marathon effort to raise vital cash for his friend – two-year-old Jessica Newell, who has Leigh’s disease.

Jessica has a form of mitochondrial disease for which there is no cure.

Although severely disabled she is astonishing her medical team with her progress.




However, life expectancy for children suffering with Leigh’s disease is very low.

But, after discovering his little friend is unlikely to reach adulthood, Ciaran felt compelled to do something to help Jessica and other children like her to “stay in the world longer.”


Marlow Opportunity Playgroup and Oxfordshire’s Helen and Douglas House hospice – a charity which provides respite care for Jessica and her family – are among the long list of charities Ciaran is raising money for.

He has eight miles of his ‘mixed-up marathon’ under his belt and is well on his way to raising his target of £1,500.

Ciaran is gaining running buddies by the week with school friends – and his four-year-old sister Erin and two-year old brother Cameron have stepped in to help him.

The budding runner aims to complete his 26th mile – running from Knowle Primary School to Dorridge Primary School – and has invited his teachers to join him on his final run.

Ciaran said: “Jessica is my friend and I don’t want to lose her.

I am doing my challenge to raise money for the places that help her and her mummy and daddy and make their lives a little bit better.”

Ciaran’s mum, Liz Thompson, said: ‘‘We’re really very proud of Ciaran – he’s a kind and caring boy.

“He has always recognised that Jessica is not able to do the things that his two-year-old brother, Cameron, can but when he found out that her condition was life-limiting it was a real shock to him and he asked how he could help.”

To support Ciaran on his marathon visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/CiaranThompson

 

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