*Welcome to the CLDF Media Room* | Press Releases | Archived Press Releases | 2004 September 6 - Top Athelete Gives Backing to Children's Charity

2004 September 6 - Top Athelete Gives Backing to Children's Charity

NEWS RELEASE

6 September 2004

TOP ATHELETE GIVES BACKING TO BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S CHARITY

Top athlete and sports presenter Steve Cram is giving his backing and support to those people taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday 26th September on behalf of Birmingham charity the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

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

Steve, who is one of the worlds most successful middle distance athletes of all time and has won medals at Commonwealth, European and World Championship level as well as bringing home a silver medal from the 1984 Olympics, has agreed to sign certificates of gratitude for all 26 runners taking part on behalf of CLDF. He said "The Foundation approached me and I was more than happy to give my support to such a worthwhile cause. Until I heard of the Foundation I was unaware that at least two children a day are diagnosed with liver disease and often these conditions can be life threatening. I’d just like to say good luck to all those who are taking part in this years run on behalf of CLDF."

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.

Catherine Arkley chief executive of CLDF said: "This is the first year that the Foundation has had guaranteed places in the Great North Run and we are really grateful to Steve giving his support to our runners and the Foundation. Effective research is the key to providing a future for children and young people with a childhood liver disease. There are over 100 different liver diseases and it is only with the help of supporters like our runners that we can continue to fund research into the causes and possible treatments for these diseases."

If you would like to find out more about the work of CLDF or sponsor somebody who is running on the Foundations behalf please contact the Foundation on 0121 212 3839, e-mail info@childliverdisease.org or visit www.childliverdisease.org

ENDS

For more information on this story please contact Rebecca O’Connor on 0121 212 6012 or e-mail rebeccaOC@childliverdisease.org