Clair’s Story 

I set a challenge to raise £5,000 for Lily and was delighted to raise over £3,000.

However, it wasn't what I wanted.....SO....I'm back! 

5 Marathons in 1 month;

2nd April Brighton 

7th April Milton Keynes 

16th April Manchester 

23rd April London 

30th April Belfast

I will be attempting to complete ALL in <4hrs 

"I have chosen the Lily Foundation as their vocation is personal to me. For the past eleven years I have been living with a rare health condition called Mitochondrial disease. I have had it all my life but the symptoms started to manifest approximately 10 years ago. Over time I have developed hearing loss, balance problems, myoclonic jerks and exercise intolerance.

Mitochondrial disease is an umbrella term for many diverse,
complicated conditions and can affect individuals differently, at any stage of their life and they can have many other symptoms.

One baby in the UK is born with mitochondrial disease every
day, and babies/children can have a short life expectancy.

I haven’t announced my condition as I felt judged and embarrassed,
however I am proud, independent and I will not let it define me.

Mitochondria are the power houses of virtually every cell in
the body, they convert the food we eat into energy that we need to survive. Without mitochondria, cells are unable to generate enough energy to sustain normal organ function and even life. I work hard to maintain my health, I keep a healthy diet, weight and I exercise regularly either independently or with the help of a supportive, knowledgeable, personal trainer who in his own time spent a significant amount of effort to study and research the positive impact exercise can have on mitochondrial disease and furthermore showed me the positive impact of exercise on health and wellbeing.

There is no cure for Mitochondrial disease, however there is
new research into treatments for specific symptoms, I am one of the first people in London to enter a drug trial to see if there is a specific rationale for the drug to increase the number of healthy Mitochondria and hence increase the energy available to help muscles work.                                  

Joining this trial has inspired me and my personal trainer
to raise money for the Lily Foundation, as their mission is committed to finding a cure for Mitochondrial Disease, through funding research, raising awareness and family support."

- Clair