This is Maddox and his mothers Instincts saved his life.

Maddox was born with the rare disease Hypophosphatasia which undiagnosed be fatal for infants.

Meryl Iona is an inspirational young woman. A woman I'm lucky enough to call my cousin. This is her's and Maddox's story.

Meryl sensed there was something more to her new borns constant sickness than was being addressed, and, undeterred by health care professionals who considered her just another 'fussy first time mum' she fought for more tests.

This persistence saved his life and led to Maddox belatedly being diagnosed with HPP. The disease is rare and not widely understood which meant Meryl and her family had to fight tooth and nail, over many months for him to get the specialist care and medication he needed. There were many sleepless nights when it looked as if the NHS were going to withdraw his medication because it too expensive. But Meryl and Maddox didn't give up because they are fighters.

Meryl (who, naturally shy, will be embarrassed by me saying all this) is about as selfless and compassionate person as you could wish to meet. She works full time and has a young family but has somehow also managed to found a charity http://www.softbonesuk.co.uk to raise awareness of HPP and ensure suffers get the support and treatment they need.

Help me to help them and others like them by raising £10,000

I'm lucky enough to be generally fit and well - and my fundraising efforts are centred around me pushing my self to my physical limits. I shall be running the London Marathon on April 28th, Cycling 100miles in the Ride London event in August and then running NON STOP FOR 24hrs at The Equinox24 event in Leicestershire. If you want to keep up to date with my training and fundraising here are the links to my social media accounts. Please donate what you can afford and share with friends. The world needs more people like Meryl and Maddox so lets get behind them!

.https://twitter.com/ockenden_leon https://www.facebook.com/LeonOckendenOfficial/ https://www.instagram.com/leonockenden/