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Lily celebrates Northamptonshire woman's marathon effort - 15/04/08

Northamptonshire woman Katy Briggs was cheered to the finish-line of the Flora London Marathon on Sunday by local liver disease girl Lily Hobbs after raising over £1,500 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Katy (35) from Mawsley completed the famous race for CLDF after learning of the charity’s vital work supporting thousands of families whose lives have been devastated by childhood liver disease.

Lily (3), the daughter of friend’s Sarah and David Hobbs from Kettering, is currently doing well after being diagnosed with an incurable liver disease shortly after birth and undergoing a corrective operation when she was just a few weeks old.

Katy, who finished the course in four hours and 24 minutes says; “The atmosphere was amazing and it really helped me to keep running the whole way round. I wanted to finish in under 5 hours but I never expected to do so well. To have raised so much for CLDF is fantastic and it was very special to celebrate with Lily and other families affected by liver disease at the post-race reception held by CLDF. I am already planning to enter the ballot for next year.”

Lily’s mum Sarah, a local ambassador for CLDF says; “I completed the marathon last year so I know what a fulfilling but emotional event it can be. I am so proud of Katy and her fantastic running efforts for CLDF. 75% of CLDF’s income comes from fundraising of this kind and every penny is desperately needed.  The funds raised will help ensure that CLDF can continue to run its vital family support, education and research programmes which make such a difference to thousands of families.”

Anyone wishing to add to Katy’s marathon total can do so easily online by visiting her online sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/katybriggs

For further information on the work of the Foundation and to find out more about running the 2009 London Marathon for CLDF, please visit www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121 212 3839.

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For further information on this story please contact

Rachel Markham, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation,
Tel: 0121 212 6012, e-mail: communications@childliverdisease.org

Note 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