Matt Bates from Ockbrook, Derbyshire, will be running his first London Marathon next weekend (April 28). The 42 year-old has not been running for long but is taking on the Marathon to raise funds for a cause very close to his heart, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).
The charity has been an important one to Matt and his family ever since his 11 year-old daughter, Alice, was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease seven years’ ago.
“It was a life-changing diagnosis as there is no cure for this condition,” explains Matt. “Alice needs daily medication and ongoing support from medical teams, but the information and support we have received from CLDF has been great and made us realise we are not alone. I completed Ride London a couple of years ago to raise funds for CLDF. So having only just started running, I thought I’d give the Marathon a whirl to try and help raise more money – although it turns out running is much harder than cycling!
“This also came at a time that we received some great news. CLDF are helping to fund a research program specific to Alice’s disease. This motivated me even more to push myself and try and raise more funds to help the great wok continue.
“Training is going pretty well. I’m fortunate to have a few friends who are runners and they are helping to motivate me, especially on those cold early morning runs! Fundraising has also gone well. My colleagues at MacDermid Graphics Solutions have been particularly supportive and I’m delighted to have raised over £2,000 to date.”
Alison Taylor, 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 Matt is doing this for us. Running the Marathon is a huge commitment in terms of time and training. We shall be there, cheering him on and hope he really enjoys his first marathon experience.”
You can support Matt’s London Marathon challenge by clicking HERE
For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org.
