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Cambridgeshire farmer finishes fourteenth London Marathon - 14/04/08

Sandra Butler, a 63 year old tenant farmer from Warboys, Huntingdon, successfully completed her fourteenth London Marathon on Sunday (13 April) raising over £1,000 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Sandra decided to run for CLDF after her 25 year old daughter Raelene died suddenly of acute liver failure caused by a rare condition called Acute Budd Chiari Syndrome (BCS) in 2002.

Sandra, who finished the course in 5 hours 45 minutes, says; “The first half of the course was fine but I lost all energy when I reached Tower Bridge and after that it was a struggle. My time was slower than I’d hoped but the main thing was to get round for CLDF.  I’ve already raised £1,000 and I still have money coming in so I am thrilled. The support locally has been wonderful with people stopping me in the street to offer sponsorship. CLDF does such wonderful work and it is great to do my bit.”

Sandra’s fundraising efforts will help CLDF continue its family support, education and research programmes which offer hope to families of the two children diagnosed with a life threatening and incurable liver disease every day in the UK.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation says; “Congratulations to Sandra on her amazing achievement. To complete the marathon once is very special, but to take part fourteen times is amazing.  We are very grateful for Sandra’s support as 75% of CLDF’s income comes from fundraising of this kind and every penny is desperately needed.”

Anyone wishing to add to Sandra’s marathon total can call Sandra on 01354 677372.

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