Welcome to my fundraising webpage. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. The run has been completed, target smashed but please please donate to this worthy cause. 

On a very cold and wet Bank holiday Monday, Team Morquio braved the elements and pounded the streets of London for 10,000 metres. Seasoned runner Tim set the pace for the team, as we set about achieving our goal of "collectively" completing the course in under an hour. Much to Alex's amazement that goal was realised. For the record, the times were Tim 57:03, Mike 57:42 & Alex 57:49. I am a little amazed also at Alex's time, as 3 weeks ago he was nursing his calf muscle following a gentle jog in Banstead. It goes to show what minimal training and a big heart can achieve. A huge thanks to both Alex & Tim for their efforts on one of the wettest days of the year.

On Sunday 8th June, Ita's family took on a stall at the Clara market for the day, carrying stock that had been donated from friends and family, from 2nd hand shoes to an untouched ice cream machine. The selling was fast and furious, plenty of hard bargaining from the "Morquio Market team", with an incredible amount raised, to be confirmed. Our heartfelt thanks go to Aunties' Olivia and Angela, Uncle Frank & Grandad Michael for their efforts on Sunday and to everyone who donated to the stall.

This is why we did it...

This time last year my wife and I discovered that our 8 year old daughter, Olivia, had a rare genetic disorder, Morquio syndrome. This is one of the Mucopolysaccharide diseases (MPS IV A). In short, it is a disease that restricts growth and causes skeletal deformities. Olivia is unlikely to grow very much more than her height now(3ft 10 inches); complications are likely to stem from this as her internal organs will continue to grow as normal. She faces a future punctuated by operations and will ultimately require a wheelchair for mobility. To add to our woes, a month after discovering news of Olivia, we were dealt a double whammy, we learnt that our son Luke also had the disease. Alicia, our middle child has miraculously, escaped the disease.

There is no cure for Morquio, we can only hope that current research delivers one. The MPS society has agreed to allocate the funds raised from this run, to research into morquio; research that may one day, make a difference to the lives of Olivia, Luke & other children suffering from this cruel disease. Scientists are about to run clinical trials. Funding of their work is vital!

For Ita & I this has been the toughest year of our lives. Please support us by sponsoring the team, Dig Deep and Make a difference!

For those that don't know Olivia & Luke, they are bright, happy and well loved children. Olivia loves her Dad & more recently some bloke called Troy from High School Musical. Luke enjoys wrapping Mummy around his little finger & wants to be a Power Ranger when he grows up. They see themselves as no different to the next child in the playground.. long may this continue.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Society For Mucopolysaccharide Diseases will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.

Mike, Alex and Tim