Local Super Dad running the Coventry Half Marathon to raise valuable funds for research into Mitochondrial Disease.

As the Coventry Half Marathon fast approaches and last minute training sessions are the focus for runners across the city, I’d like to tell you of just one man who will be pacing himself for 13 or so miles, with the commitment to raising money for a cause close to his heart – Mitochondrial Disease.

Local Coventry man, Dean Smith, is the Dad of a special little 7 year old boy called Jack, who was diagnosed 2 years ago with Kearns Sayer Syndrome, a mitochondrial disorder. Mitochondrial is the DNA within the DNA of the body and an attack leads to failure within any muscular organ of the body. In simple terms, the batteries in Jack’s little body do not work efficiently, so when he gets poorly it could trigger an attack.

I’ve got to know Dean and Jack personally over the past year. We meet up at the ice rink where ‘Little Jack’ has great fun with my son, ‘Big Jack’, together with Dan and other friends on the ice. And although our boys are a couple of years older than Dean’s son, they take special care with him and ensure he has lots of fun on the ice.

When you read through all the medical procedures that this little boy has been through, it’s not surprising to find out that he was traumatised by the whole experience and his parent’s world was certainly turned upside down...

When Jack first got sick, he fought an eight hour battle just to stay alive and has shown great strength and determination in fighting his illness. He has put his experiences behind him and is a very happy little boy, and although he lacks power in his legs and struggles to keep up at times, Jack lives life to the full and enjoys football and ice skating. To date, Jack hasn't had another attack.

There are hundreds of different Mitochondrial Diseases (which have only been discovered over the past 40 years) and Kearns Sayer Syndrome is just one of them. Dean is running the Coventry Half Marathon, along with others, to raise both awareness of the disease and valuable money for Great Ormand Street Hospital Mitochondrial Unit.

If like us you’d like to help Dean by donating money (and every little helps!), please go to:

www.justgiving.com  and where it says 'sponsor a friend' type in Dean Smith. Then click on ‘Running For Mitochondrial and Metabolic Research’.

You’ll see Dean’s name, along with his team mates - Karl Wilcox, Tom Pease, John Bird and Tony Cockerill.

All donations will be greatly appreciated and will go to scientific research to try and find a cure for people suffering these rare diseases, and may help to save the lives of children like Jack. So please give generously and show your support for the guys running for Mitochondrial and Metabolic Research.

Thank you. Ali at thebestofcoventry

Good Luck to you if you’re running a race this year, and if you’re entering a Triathalon, don’t forget to visit Coventry Cycle Centre for a fantastic selection of racing bikes, together with top class triathalon gear at really great prices!  CLICK HERE