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Lifelong friends to run London marathon - 22/03/08

A father whose son was diagnosed with a life threatening and incurable liver disease shortly after birth is running the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April to raise funds for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Stuart Clarke (36) from Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, is running his first marathon to raise money for CLDF, a unique national charity which has provided emotional and practical support since son Robert was diagnosed with nearly a year ago.

Robert, who will celebrate his first birthday on 26 April, has biliary atresia; a condition in which the bile ducts become progressively blocked leading to irreversible liver damage. He underwent a corrective operative when he was nineteen days old.

Although he has faced a number of set backs and short spells in hospital, Robert is currently doing well with daily medication and regular assessments.  However Stuart and wife Justine know that Robert may face a liver transplant if his condition deteriorates.

Stuart says: “CLDF has been a lifeline since Robert was diagnosed with liver disease and I wanted to give something back to help ensure the charity can continue to offer support and much needed information to families.  CLDF’s research programme also gives families hope for the future as many conditions like Robert’s are currently incurable.”

Stuart’s close friend David Tame (39) will also be taking part in the race to raise extra funds for CLDF.  The pair have been friends since childhood, as have their wives Justine and Rachel.

The friends have become even closer over the past year; David’s daughter Rosie was born just a day after Robert and in the same hospital.  As Rosie was allowed home, Robert was undergoing tests and diagnosed with liver disease.  David was keen to join Stuart in the marathon after seeing the support offered to the family by CLDF.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of CLDF says: “Few people realise that two children like Robert are struck down by liver disease every day in the UK through no fault of their own or their parents. CLDF’s support, research and education programmes offer a lifeline to devastated families, but these services can only continue with public support.

“CLDF relies on enthusiastic supporters like Stuart and David for raising over 75% of its income – every penny of which is desperately needed. We would like to thank them both for taking on this enormous challenge and we wish them every success on the day.”

 
Stuart is hoping to finish his first ever distance run in 4 hours 30 mins.  David, who completed the marathon in 2006, is hoping to finish the race in under three hours.  The duo hope to raise a total of £2,000 for CLDF.

For further information on the work of the Foundation, 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