I have recently become friends with a lovely local family whose son Frankie O'Connor suffers from a rare genetic brain condition called Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia; this is where the cerebellum hasn't developed properly which connects to the pons and brain stem which controls everything that he should do.  Unfortunately there is no cure or treatment for this and it is gods will that he will leave this world quicker than expected.  

Frankie also has gastro reflux, hypertonia and dystonia.  His neurologists have said that because he is still very small and not developing his life expectancy is likely to be 5 years or less.  Along with this condition come more problems! He is already developing motor disorder and it is very unlikely that he will crawl, talk, sit up and will have intellectual disabilities.

I was so touched by his story and wanted to find out more about him, his illness and the charity that supports children and their families who suffer from it.  Frankie's family never ask for anything and I have complete admiration for them, every day is a tough day for them but they get on with it and give Frankie and his sisters the best life they possibly can.

I have already completed various marathons and ultras so decided that I needed to do something completely crazy and beyond anything I have ever set out to do! So I decided to set myself a challenge to run 7 marathons in 7 days.

Frankie’s Mum Debbie is over the moon and keen to help and support as much as possible, she will also put me in contact with other families who will hopefully come along to support.

I plan to start my challenge on Saturday 22^ndAugust 2015 starting with the Bad Cow Marathon; this will be a back to back marathon weekend running both marathons Saturday & Sunday. Lots of my Chineham Park Running Club friends are coming up for this weekend so that will help me a great deal.

I then plan to run 5 more marathons locally Monday to Friday that week completing my challenge on Friday 28th August.