Simon Rowe from Gosport will be joining the thousands pounding the streets of London in next week’s Marathon (Sunday April 23) in a bid to raise funds for a cause which is close to his heart, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).
“I found out about the work of CLDF when my little niece was diagnosed with the rare liver disease, biliary atresia,” he explains. “She was fortunate to be diagnosed when she was just a few days old and received surgery which, while not a cure, currently allows for a normal lifestyle under medical supervision.
“Early detection of childhood liver disease really affects outcomes but, because of its rarity, not every case is diagnosed so quickly. CLDF provides medical professionals with vital information to help them spot the signs and also funds research into its causes and treatments as well as supporting affected families. I thought running the London Marathon would be a good way of raising funds and awareness for this little-known charity.”
Taking on a marathon will not be a new experience for 45 year old Simon, a cover supervisor at Seaford College in Petworth, who has an excellent training partner.
“This will be my seventh marathon and second time around the course in London,” he says. “I run every morning as it’s a great way of exercising my spaniel, Dirac, and I also enjoy the parkrun at Lee on Solent. I must admit I was planning on improving my previous time of three hours 48 minutes but life has got in the way of training over the past few months. I’m currently filling in as a full time physics teacher and there have been plenty of family commitments. Nevertheless I have squeezed in most of the long runs and I will do a few easy runs in advance of the marathon.
I’m looking forward to the day. If I can get round in a respectable time and raise some funds for this important cause I will be satisfied!”
Rebecca Cooper, Chief Executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented: “CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing information and emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all those affected. In order to do this, however, we rely on voluntary donations, so we are delighted that Simon is taking on the London Marathon for us. It’s a big commitment and we truly appreciate it and wish him all the best for the day.”
You can support Simon’s London Marathon challenge by going to Simon Rowe is fundraising for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (justgiving.com)
For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org.
