Raised: 22%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £434.00
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My story

 

I am running the London Marathon to raise money for the Lily Foundation, whose mission is to find a cure for mitochondrial disease.

When a person has mitochondrial disease, the mitochondria in the cells within your body don't produce enough energy to fuel the cell. As cells make up every organ and tissue in the body, without enough energy to function, these tissues and organs cannot work properly. Logically, the most common parts of the body affected by mitochondrial disease are those that have the highest energy demands; the brain, muscles, liver, heart and kidneys.

The Lily Foundation was set up in memory of Lily Anna Merritt, who died at just 8 months old from mitochondrial disease. With little known about the disease and other metabolic disorders, Lily's family decided to set up the Lily Foundation to help raise awareness and fund research into the condition.

Now I personally know about the Lily Foundation because I work with Lily's Uncle, John. Since Lily died, I have seen the massive effect her death from this disease has had on his whole family. But what has been so amazing - and what has led me to want to support them in this way - is how such an awful event has been used to create something so positive. Lily's Mum, Liz, talks about the inner strength and fighting spirit that Lily showed during her short time on earth, and it is that spirit and and strength that Liz and the whole family bring to the Lily Foundation. They are such a wonderful family, and the way in which they have thrown everything into raising awareness of mitochondrial disease and supporting those who going through similar experiences, is truly inspirational. And so I want to follow their lead and find some inner strength and fighting spirit of my own and run the London Marathon.

It really is a fantastic cause, and any donation you could make really would make a difference to the Lily Foundation's work. In under 3 years they have raised nearly £300,000 towards the £400,000 they need to fund a new gene-testing programme at Guy & St. Thomas' Hospital, which will be used in research units all over the UK. Your donation will help fund this desperately needed programme, and take the giant steps needed to find a cure for this disease.

If you would like to read more about Lily's story and the work of the Lily Foundation, please go to www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk

 

 

Right that's it now. No more. Stop doing stuff. Donation by simon carpenter 18/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by John Curtis 26/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Big up Fozza! Well done - enjoy it! Donation by A Leventhal 26/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A donation from me thanks to Andy Burton & Darren Bent's race to 10,000 followers race Donation by Chris Goodwin 21/10/09  

£250.00 + £70.51 Gift Aid

Hope this helps! All down to Andy on twitter Donation by Kieran Lester 21/10/09  

£10.00

Again down to Andy Burton via Twitter Donation by Nick Stanford 21/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

I wouldnt have known about this great cause if it wasnt for Andy Burton on Twitter! I shall donate more when i have more funds available! Good luck!x Donation by Callum Taylor 21/10/09  

£2.00

Donation by Anonymous 20/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Yves Cosentino 19/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I'm donating because it is a good cause and as a result of Mr. Burtons twitter campaign. Great PR! Donation by Mom of 2 19/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good cause, keep up the great work Donation by S Dawsons 19/10/09  

Donation by Anonymous 17/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

A great cause. Good luck with the marathon :) :) Donation by Helen C 17/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck! Great cause - I'm sure my Twitter followers will get behind you! Donation by Andy Burton 17/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Not as much as Darren Bent will give - but proud to be donating to a great cause. Donation by Liam Fletcher 17/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £434.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £119.03

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