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Aunt to run London Marathon in memory of baby Ellen - 07/03/08

A theatre director from Harringay will be running the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April to raise funds for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) in tribute to her ten month old niece who died whilst waiting for a liver transplant.

Kirsty Housley (29), who his married to Colin Carmichael, one of the ‘118’ running actors in the famous TV advert, will be tackling her first marathon for CLDF; the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting all liver diseases of childhood.

Kirsty became aware of the charity’s work when it offered support to her brother Peter and his wife Sam after their daughter Ellen was diagnosed with a liver disease called biliary atresia shortly after her birth in 2006.

Ellen underwent a corrective operation for the condition which causes the bile ducts to become progressively blocked leading to irreversible liver damage. However this proved unsuccessful and Ellen was placed on the transplant list but died before a donor organ became available.
 
In 2007 Kirsty completed the Great North Run half marathon raising over £1,000 for the charity.  She hopes that her London marathon attempt will raise a further £5,000, and also increase public awareness of the fact that two children like Ellen are diagnosed with a life threatening and incurable liver disease every day in the UK through no fault of their own or their parents.

Kirsty says; “CLDF offers information and emotional support to thousands of families. It also funds pioneering research which could help children like Ellen in the future and spare families some of the heartache that mine has experienced. CLDF does a fantastic job but replies on public support to continue its work.

“I find running an extremely fulfilling way to do something positive to help CLDF and I have been training hard for the race which I hope to complete in around four and a half hours.  I am really looking forward to the atmosphere on the day and Colin will be there to cheer me on, although not in his famous outfit. He isn’t actually much of a runner in real life!”
 
Catherine Arkley, chief executive at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation says; “CLDF exists to help pick up the pieces when families lives are shattered by childhood liver disease.  Our research programme also gives comfort by offering hope the future. This work could not take place without the help of supporters like Kirsty who fundraise on our behalf and we are extremely grateful for her efforts.  Every penny raised will help CLDF make a difference and effect change in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood liver disease.”

You can support Kirsty’s run by visiting her online sponsorship page at http://www.justgiving.com/runningkirsty 

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