A Glossop landscape designer has succeeded in his marathon fundraising effort, running 10 marathons in 10 days, to raise thousands of pounds in aid of his cousin who needs life-changing medical treatment.
Dave Hine, 39, completed the final marathon on Monday (29 May) as part of efforts to raise £50,000 for his cousin Maddy, who has Multiple Sclerosis.
He joined Maddy’s husband Phil in taking on the challenge, across 10 counties, which has seen them smash the initial fundraising target set.
“I am doing really well, and am so chuffed we have done it, I’m really proud and happy that we have raised the money,” said Dave from Old Glossop.
“About the six-day mark we knew we were going over the target and obviously it was quite emotional to be told that.
“In a way that took the pressure off and made it more enjoyable.”
The marathons started in Cornwall on 20 May and finished in Wiltshire on Bank Holiday Monday.
Dave ran 10 marathons in 10 days
Mum-of-three Maddy, 41, was 17 when first diagnosed with the degenerative disease which affects the brain and nervous system.
Until recently she’s been able to self-manage the symptoms of the incurable illness, but the brutal condition is developing rapidly.
A glimmer of hope had been a new treatment called HSCT which is being trialled in this country, but Maddy didn’t fit the criteria to take part in the study.
With a 75 per cent chance it could halt her MS progressing any further, the family were desperate to access HSCT, in the other place pioneering the treatment - Mexico.
The treatment alone is £50,000 so that was the initial aim. Dave said: “We never thought in our wildest dreams we would get there.”
Fundraising is now continuing and will be used to pay for things like MRI scans and physio. Any funding left over will be donated to an MS charity.
If you’d like to donate, you can visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/get-maddy-to-mexico
Read more from the Glossop Chronicle
Click here for more of the latest news
Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online
Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper