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Derbyshire teacher hopes London Marthon success will raise ?2,000 - 14/04/08

Yvonne Salomé-Keetley (51) from Darley Dale, Matlock, completed her first Flora London Marathon on Sunday (13 April), which she hopes will raise £2,000 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Yvonne became aware of the charity’s work after her niece Erica (now 20) was diagnosed with a life threatening and incurable liver disease as a baby.  Erica, who lives in Cornwall, went on to undergo a life saving liver transplant when she was 11 and is now dong well with daily medication.

Yvonne completed the marathon with her sister Nicky and brother-in-law Simon who live in Oxford.  Yvonne crossed the finishing line in a time of 6 hours 10 minutes and celebrated her success with Erica and her family at the post-race reception held by CLDF.

Yvonne says; “I took a steady pace to make sure I got round and enjoyed the race.  There was such an amazing atmosphere.  People were chanting my name because I’d had it printed on my top. I even missed some of the sights like Buckingham Palace because I was too engrossed with chatting to the crowds!”

Yvonne hopes that her marathon effort will enable CLDF to continue its family support programme which provides 24/7 information and advice to families like Erica’s whose lives have been devastated by childhood liver disease.

Yvonne adds; “I’ve collected £1,600 but I’m hoping to top the £2,000 mark in the end which would be fantastic. Few people realise that at least two children are diagnosed with life threatening and incurable liver disease every day in the UK through no fault of their own or their parents. It feels great to have fulfilled a personal ambition whilst raising such a fantastic amount to support CLDF’s work.” 

Catherine Arkley, chief executive at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation says; “Congratulations to Yvonne on her fantastic running effort on CLDF’s behalf. Every penny raised is urgently needed and will help CLDF to continue its vital family support, education and research programmes.”

Anyone who would like to add to Yvonne's sponsorship total can donate easily on line by visiting www.justgiving.com/yvonnesalome-keetley.

For more information on CLDF’s work and running the 2009 London marathon for CLDF visit www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121 212 3839.

Ends

For further information on this story please contact: 
Rachel Markham, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation,
Tel: 0121 212 6012, e-mail: communications@childliverdisease.org

Notes to editors:

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public. Formed in 1980, it provides professional, emotional support to families affected and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK.

Childhood liver disease – the facts

• More children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
• At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK
• Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
• There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
• For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown
• Liver disease has no cure
• CLDF is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease