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2004 September 9 - Local Man Gives Up Couch Potato Lifestyle for Children's Charity

John Douthwaite, aged 41 from Newcastle is getting ready to take part in the Great North Run in aid of the Children's Liver Disease Foundation. The run takes place on Sunday 26th September.

John, from Denton Burn is running to raise money for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, a national charity which fights liver disease in children and young people. He chose the Foundation after seeing an article in his local paper saying CLDF had places. He said: "I have wanted to run the Great North Run since turning 40 as I didn’t want to become a 40 something couch potato, but I was unable to get motivated. When I read the piece about CLDF looking for runners that motivated me as it seemed like such a worthy cause."

Founded 24 years ago, the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation urgently requires funds to help the thousands of children and young people living with a liver disease.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of the Foundation, said: "We are indebted to people like John for undertaking this challenge on the Foundation’s behalf. Not many people realise that at least two children are diagnosed every day with a liver disease, and that these diseases are serious and life threatening. Effective research is the key to providing a future for children and young people with a childhood liver disease and it is only with the help of supporters like John that we can continue to do this."

Forty seven thousand people are set to take part in the 13.1 mile run, with runners setting off from Newcastle, crossing the Tyne Bridge and then racing across the finishing line in South Shields. John is hoping to raise £200 for CLDF and thinks that he will finish the race in around two and a half hours. John continued " Before starting training I was finding it difficult to get life insurance as it transpired that my cholesterol was high. Now I have started eating more salad, seafood and pasta and have been using smoking patches. I have been running five miles every other day and also going to the gym once a week. My wife and son have both said how well I look. It is difficult but hearing of CLDF’s work motivated me and I am determined to do this for CLDF, myself, my wife and my child."

If you would like to support John please contact the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation on 0121 212 3839 or visit the web site for on-line donation opportunities at www.childliverdisease.org

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