A record 10 people with life-limiting cystic fibrosis are running the London Marathon today.
Among them is single mum Robyn Davidson, whose life was transformed by a double lung transplant in 2015.
She is fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which is seeking a cure. Teacher Robyn, 40, says: “When I was born, children with cystic fibrosis were not expected to survive to their teens. But because of research, we are living longer and tackling challenges.
“I decided to try running. It wasn’t easy. I followed the Couch to 5K programme. It normally takes nine weeks but it took me nine months.
“I had been given this gift and I didn’t want to waste it.
“I know I will cry when I cross that finish line.”
Robyn, of Petersfield, Hants, hopes to get round in five hours and will be cheered on by proud daughters Sophie, 20, and Phoebe, 15. Only half of those born with CF live past 40. Some 10,800 people in the UK have the disease, caused by mutated genes.
Sufferers have thicker mucus in their lungs, trapping bacteria and causing infections. Digestive issues and organ failure can follow.
Fellow runner Jamie Fox, 36, from Folkestone, Kent, has seen his life improve since taking revolutionary triple-therapy drug Kaftrio.
A quantity surveyor, Jamie had to shield during the pandemic and couldn’t hug daughter Keira, 15, for a year.
He says: “Getting out for a run gives me a sense of achievement and makes me feel more normal. In fact, it makes me feel superhuman.
“The mental side of CF can be harder than the physical side. I try to be grateful that I can do things I love when I’m still capable.
“If my fundraising will stop the next generation going through what I have experienced, and that will be incredibly satisfying.”
