Battling Sean to take to roads to raise money to fight disease

Battling Sean to take to roads to raise money to fight disease

22 February 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

A DOWNPATRICK man who suffers from a muscle-wasting condition is appealing to local people to support a major fundraising event on St Patrick’s Day.

Sean Fitzsimons, who suffers from Myotubular Myopathy, is appealing to local people to join his fight against muscle disease by taking part in a sponsored walk at Castleward.

The 27 year-old recently formed a fundraising group alongside three other local people affected by muscle disease to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The group’s first task is to encourage local walkers participating in the Down Council’s St. Patrick Day’s walk to help raise funds for the charity.

Sean was diagnosed with Myotubular Myopathy when he was six, with his condition greatly restricting his ability to walk as well as impacting on his breathing, balance and co-ordination.

“The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has supported our members and their families over the years and we wanted to help fund continued progress into improving treatments and finding cures, so decided to get together to fundraise,” he explained.

Sean said he and his friends are asking people to dust off their walking boots and secure sponsorship to help improve the lives of 2,000 children and adults throughout Northern Ireland with muscle-wasting disease by taking part in the March 17 event being organised by the Lecale Ramblers which starts at 10.30am.

Two different routes are available for walkers, one around 15km, with the second estimated at 8.5km. Walkers will also be treated to a wee dram of whiskey or a hot drink at a secret location along the way.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s volunteer fundraising manager Glenn Oakes said the organisation is very grateful to Sean and the Downpatrick group for its support.

“Without people like this we wouldn’t be able to continue the fight against muscle-wasting disease and to continue to support those living with the condition,” he said.

“The St. Patrick’s Day walk promises to be a very special first event and we are sure that Sean and his friends will inspire lots of people to take up the challenge.”

Anyone who would like to participate in the March 17 event to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign or for more information is asked to telephone (028) 9075 1497 or log on at N-Ireland@muscular-dystrophy.org.