Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  I'm Joining Jack, are you?

Jack is a 5 year old boy who has been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), for which there is no known cure. Joining Jack is a charity that has been set up by Jack's family in order to raise money and awareness to fund research into this horrendous disease, to hopefully one day, find a cure.  

This year I will be taking part in 7 sporting events and whilst this doesn't compare to the fight that those with DMD go through every day, I hope to use my own personal challenge to help the cause & raise as much money as possible.  Anyone that wants to come and show their support or take part with me, you will find me at the following events:

Liverpool Half Marathon - 17th March

Bupa Great Manchester Run (10km) - 26th May

Go Green Cheshire Triathlon (500m swim, 20km cycle & 5km run) Nantwich - 2nd June

Warrington 10k - 20th June

100 Mile Manchester Cycle (along with Team JJ100) - 1st Sep

Wigan 10k - 8th September

DW Southport 10k - 29th September

DMD is one of the most common fatal genetic disorders to affect children around the world. Approximately one in every 3,500 boys worldwide is afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with 20,000 new cases reported each year in the developed world. 

It is a devastating and currently incurable muscle-wasting disease associated with specific inborn errors in the gene that codes for dystrophin, a protein that plays a key structural role in muscle fibre function. Symptoms usually appear in male children before the age of five. Progressive muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis eventually spreads to the arms, neck, and other areas. By age 10, braces may be required for walking, and most patients are confined to a wheelchair by age 12. 

Eventually, this progresses to complete paralysis and increasing difficulty in breathing, requiring ventilation. 

The condition is terminal and death usually occurs before the age of 30. 

The outpatient cost of care for a non-ambulatory DMD boy is among the highest of any disease. There is currently no cure for DMD, but for the first time ever, there are promising therapies in or moving into clinical development. 

Campaigns like Joining Jack lead the search for treatments and cures for DMD.   

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.  

So please dig deep and donate now.  Any amount that you can donate would be gratefully appreciated.