A Newry man is running from Belfast to Dublin in aid of a young boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Marty Fox will start the 24-hour challenge on Friday, April 21, when he plans to run 173km from the Europa Hotel to St James's Gate in Dublin to raise funds for Alfie Pentony, a 10-year-old going through Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy treatment.
Alfie was diagnosed with the life-limiting disease when he was four years old and since then his parents, Colleen and Jamie, have been doing all that they can in order to ensure that he is able to get the treatment and support he deserves.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Marty said that he is a regular marathon and endurance runner and after hearing about the support that Alfie needs in order to access his treatment in America, felt that he should do something to help his family.
The 28-year-old said: "I have heard about what Alfie and his family have been going through in order to secure him treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and wanted to help them as much as I can.
"Over the past few years I have taken part in a number of marathons and endurance events, even managing to run 100 miles in 24 hours before, but this challenge for Alfie will be the longest that I have attempted yet.
"I will be leaving the Europa Hotel at 12pm on Friday and hope to make it to Dublin early on Saturday.
"So far we have managed to hit our target of £1,500 on the fundraising page and have raised hundreds elsewhere through donations and sponsorships and I am thankful to everyone who has contributed to help Alfie get his treatment."
Alfie currently travels to America for the treatment every four months and due to it costing between $13,000 and $14,000, his mum Colleen is constantly fundraising and gathering donations in order to ensure that he is able to continue receiving it.
Colleen says that as a result of his treatment he is "defying the odds" as he should be using a wheelchair due to his condition and the muscle wastage it causes, but is instead able to run, play football and even have a few sparring sessions at a local boxing club.
She said: "We are very thankful for all that Marty is doing for Alfie, it really means a lot to us.
"He is taking on a huge challenge in order to raise funds for his treatment and we wish him all the best when he sets off on Friday.
"We would just like to thank everyone who has donated to the fundraiser so far, without your support we wouldn't be able to get Alfie the treatment he needs."
If you would like to donate to Marty's appeal please follow this link.
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