Jon-Paul Ford is the partner of Rachel, one of our Ryan's Rainbow admin. He's a great friend to our family and a running enthusiast. So when Jon-Paul learned about Ryan's condition (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and what we do at Ryan's Rainbow, he put a plan in action to help raise funds and awareness... and so the York Marathon gained an extra, determined RR hero runner to their list on Sunday 8th October.

Ryan's Rainbow is dedicated to helping fund research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, help other children with Ryan's condition, spreading much needed awareness of DMD and also helping Ryan obtain the adaptions he requires as his condition progresses so he can live as well as possible.

Duchenne or DMD as more commonly known, is the biggest genetic killer of children. It is a very rare progressive muscle wasting condition which affects children from birth. There is no cure, there is no effective treatment, and it takes away all the abilities they once had from around age 6 onwards. Walking, cuddling, climbing, affecting all muscles in the body. It is 100% FATAL!
When you are told to take your son home and try and make as many memories as possible, there really are no words, there's no hope, there's no treatment. There's just disbelief and a darkness. My heart filled with so much hurt. I don't want to lose my baby boy Ryan, he was diagnosed on his 4th birthday. I will keep on fighting to help Ryan and others.

When someone like Jon-Paul comes along and wants to help you with that fight, it really is a miracle. We feel less alone, and more supported, and more hopeful.
Please sponsor Jon-Paul Ford, another Ryan's Rainbow Hero, who will be running now that Ryan can't!

SUNDAY 8th OCTOBER 2017 - Jon-Paul Ford - The York Marathon. Get it in your diaries. Come see some sweat, extreme effort and endurance during a gruelling 26..2 mile marathon. Let's support Jon-Paul and Ryan!

Many Thanks - Ryan's Mum and Ryan's Rainbow