Story
Thank you for visiting my ‘justgiving’ fundraising page in memory of a special little boy, Joshua Zachary Bolton, who died suddenly and unexpectedly on 1 April 2006 at the age of 18 months.
My son Thomas and Joshua were best friends and had known each other since they were six weeks old. In the time they knew each other they got up to all sorts together including swimming, music groups and playgroup.
Just after Joshua died, the London Marathon took place and Neil, Joshua’s dad, was so moved by the stories told that he decided he was going to run the 2007 London Marathon in memory of his little boy and in aid of his charity Climb (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases – www.climb.org.uk ) who have supported his family throughout this time.
We successfully completed this and raised a significant sum of money for Climb, as well as raising awareness too.
With this being a charity close to my heart I continued my support and fundraising by running London again in 2009, as well as running the Amsterdam Marathon on 2014. My next challenge is to complete an Olympic distance triathlon on October 1st this year, which will be a mile open-water swim, 40km bike then 10k run.
Joshua’s Condition
Since Joshua’s death it has been found that he had inherited a genetic metabolic disorder called MCADD (Medium chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency). This disorder meant that unable to breakdown fatty acids to make energy. The main source of energy for the body is glucose, but when glucose runs out fat is broken down into energy. That energy is not available to children with MCADD.
MCADD is easily treatable if recognised by ensuring a controlled diet and avoiding fasting.
MCADD testing amongst newborn babies was only at the pilot stage still in 2007, and since 2004 half of the newborn population had been tested resulting in 4 to 5 babies per month found to have MCADD. In April 2007 MCADD testing was due to come to an end and it was up to the Government whether or not this testing would be incorporated into the current screening tests for newborn babies.
Joshua’s charity ‘Climb’ continued to push the Government to bring this screening into place for all newborn babies in the UK, and in 2009 the NHS introduced a screening programme for MCADD. All newborn babies in England are now given a blood test that can be used to screen for MCADD. Without the lobbying of Climb this test may not have been incorporated into current screening.
I am running the Amsterdam Marathon to continue to support this cause and raise awareness of inherited metabolic disorders in children, preventing other parents the despair of losing a child to MCADD as my friends Neil and Pauline.
Donating through the ‘Justgiving’ website
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate as Climb will receive your money electronically, and if you are a taxpayer, and extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added
Thanks for taking a look at my page, and also for you generosity if you have chosen to donate.
Thanks
Mark
My son Thomas and Joshua were best friends and had known each other since they were six weeks old. In the time they knew each other they got up to all sorts together including swimming, music groups and playgroup.
Just after Joshua died, the London Marathon took place and Neil, Joshua’s dad, was so moved by the stories told that he decided he was going to run the 2007 London Marathon in memory of his little boy and in aid of his charity Climb (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases – www.climb.org.uk ) who have supported his family throughout this time.
We successfully completed this and raised a significant sum of money for Climb, as well as raising awareness too.
With this being a charity close to my heart I continued my support and fundraising by running London again in 2009, as well as running the Amsterdam Marathon on 2014. My next challenge is to complete an Olympic distance triathlon on October 1st this year, which will be a mile open-water swim, 40km bike then 10k run.
Joshua’s Condition
Since Joshua’s death it has been found that he had inherited a genetic metabolic disorder called MCADD (Medium chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency). This disorder meant that unable to breakdown fatty acids to make energy. The main source of energy for the body is glucose, but when glucose runs out fat is broken down into energy. That energy is not available to children with MCADD.
MCADD is easily treatable if recognised by ensuring a controlled diet and avoiding fasting.
MCADD testing amongst newborn babies was only at the pilot stage still in 2007, and since 2004 half of the newborn population had been tested resulting in 4 to 5 babies per month found to have MCADD. In April 2007 MCADD testing was due to come to an end and it was up to the Government whether or not this testing would be incorporated into the current screening tests for newborn babies.
Joshua’s charity ‘Climb’ continued to push the Government to bring this screening into place for all newborn babies in the UK, and in 2009 the NHS introduced a screening programme for MCADD. All newborn babies in England are now given a blood test that can be used to screen for MCADD. Without the lobbying of Climb this test may not have been incorporated into current screening.
I am running the Amsterdam Marathon to continue to support this cause and raise awareness of inherited metabolic disorders in children, preventing other parents the despair of losing a child to MCADD as my friends Neil and Pauline.
Donating through the ‘Justgiving’ website
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate as Climb will receive your money electronically, and if you are a taxpayer, and extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added
Thanks for taking a look at my page, and also for you generosity if you have chosen to donate.
Thanks
Mark