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Aunt's London Marathon run success raises ?3,000 - 16/04/08

Kirsty Housley (29) from Harringay completed her first Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April, raising over £3,000 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Kirsty’s ten month old niece Ellen was diagnosed with a life threatening and incurable liver disease when she was just a few weeks old and died last year whilst waiting for a liver transplant.

Kirsty became aware of CLDF’s work after the charity offered support and information to her brother Peter and his wife Sam when Ellen was diagnosed.  CLDF also funds medical research into the causes of childhood liver disease which affects at least two children every day in the UK through no fault of their own or their parents.

Kirsty, who finished the race in 4 hours 48 minutes, says; “I was trying to finish in four hours 30 minutes but the last six miles were a real killer so I was just outside.  Despite the sleet and rain there was an amazing atmosphere and hearing the cheers really spurred me on.  Although I can’t walk very well at the moment I have still entered the 2009 ballot!

“CLDF offers a vital lifeline to thousands of families whose lives are devastated by childhood liver disease.  75% of CLDF’s income comes from the public and I am thrilled to have raised such a wonderful amount to help the charity continues its work and the sponsorship is still coming in.” 

Kirsty was congratulated at the end of the race by husband Colin Carmichael, one of the ‘118’ running actors in the famous TV advert.
 
Catherine Arkley, chief executive at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation says; “Congratulations to Kirsty 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.”

You can help increase Kirsty’s fundraising total by visiting her online sponsorship page at http://www.justgiving.com/runningkirsty 

For more information on CLDF’s work or running the 2009 London Marathon for CLDF 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