A determined mum from Merthyr Tydfil will soon be taking on the London Marathon this weekend after being inspired by her son's bravery. After 10-year-old Xavier's battle with limb overgrowth syndrome, Lauren Mackie wants to raise money to help other people going through the same challenges, and says he has been her inspiration for pushing herself outside of her comfort zone.
Lauren is the deputy headteacher at Brynteg School in Bridgend and will be raising vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH), which is the marathon's official charity of the year. Her 10-year-old son, Xavier, was referred to GOSH two years ago with limb overgrowth syndrome.
The condition is very rare and doctors at GOSH have been monitoring Xavier closely to help them understand it better and potentially develop treatments in the future. Despite being so young, Xavier had his first operation at nine months old to try and stop the growth in his hand and arm, and at two years old he had the two enlarged fingers on his right hand amputated - but the youngster doesn't let that stop him.
