A West Lothian dad is running a half marathon to support a young girl battling a rare genetic condition. Every bit helps!
Edinburgh: A dad from West Lothian is gearing up to run the Edinburgh Half Marathon. He’s doing it for a little girl named Ella-Rose, who’s facing a tough battle with a progressive genetic condition.
Ella-Rose, just eight years old, has Friedreich ataxia. This condition messes with the nervous system and affects her ability to move. Owen Donoghue, 44, whose son is in the same class as Ella-Rose, is determined to help her out.
Owen is running 13 miles to raise funds for Ella-Rose, who goes to Howden St Andrew’s Primary. He wants to support her with the therapies and equipment she’ll need as her condition progresses.
Friedreich ataxia is rare, affecting about one in 50,000 people. It causes nerve damage in the spinal cord, which leads to a lack of sensory signals to the brain. Ella-Rose’s parents are hopeful for new treatments that are being tested, but they need help now.
Owen, a dad of six, knows the family will need a lot of support in the coming years. He’s been training hard, even though this half marathon is a big step up from the 10Ks he’s done before.
He’s set a goal to raise £4,000 for Ella-Rose. Owen shared, “Every step I take will bring us closer to helping her live her best life.” He’s been running around his neighborhood and is getting help from a personal trainer.
The big day is coming up on Sunday, May 25, and he’s already raised over £640. If you want to help, you can find his fundraising page online.
