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London Marathon success for Southampton man - 15/04/08

Southampton man Neil Boulter (20), who was diagnosed with an incurable liver disease as a baby, successfully completed his first Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April, raising £1,500 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Neil, a tree surgeon from Shirley, was diagnosed with a genetic liver disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency after he became jaundiced and his liver became inflamed when he was just a few weeks old.  Eventually Neil’s liver function returned to normal and he continues to do well.  Other children are not so fortunate and go on to need a liver transplant in infancy or childhood.

Neil hopes his marathon effort will help CLDF continue its family support programme which provides 24/7 information and advice to families whose lives have been devastated by childhood liver disease – most of which are both life threatening and incurable.

Neil says; “I finished the race in 3 hours 55 minutes and 30 seconds. In September I’d completed a marathon in 3 hours and 58 minutes as part of my training and was determined to do a quicker time so I was thrilled. I’ve wanted to take part in the London Marathon since I was at school and it was a brilliant experience and the crowds really keep you going. It feels great to have fulfilled a personal ambition whilst raising such a fantastic amount for CLDF as the charity relies on fundraising like this for 75% of its income.”  

Catherine Arkley, chief executive at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation says; “Congratulations to Neil on his fantastic running effort on CLDF’s behalf.  Few people realise that at least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease very day in the UK through no fault of their own or their parents. Every penny raised is urgently needed and will help CLDF to continue its vital family support, education and research programmes.”

Anyone wishing to add to Neil's London Marathon sponsorship total can do so easily on line by visiting www.justgiving.com/neilboulter.

For more information on CLDF’s work and 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

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