Northumberland youngster fights illness to take on the Junior Great North Run

Ten year old Dylan Marshall from Northumberland has bravely signed up to take part in the Junior Great North Run this September in aid of local charity, The Sick Children’s Trust.

Dylan has been battling Larsen syndrome, a condition that affects the development of the bones since he was just 14 months old and has had many procedures to try and treat the condition. In the last 18 months Dylan has made amazing improvements; he can now walk short distances with a walking frame and has decided to take on the challenging Junior Great North Run wheelchair race to fundraise for a charity close to his heart.

Dylan has received treatment in different specialist hospitals across the country and his mum and dad have always been able to stay close by thanks to children’s charity, The Sick Children’s Trust. David and Victoria have stayed in the charity’s Treetop House, Guilford Street House and Crawford House while Dylan has been in hospital. Without the family accommodation provided, David and Victoria would have been forced to pay for hotel accommodation close by or face the long journeys to and from home.

The Sick Children’s Trust provides free, high quality ‘Home from Home’ accommodation as well as practical and emotional support for families who have seriously ill children in hospital. The charity has nine ‘Homes from Home’ based at leading children’s hospitals across the UK.

Victoria, 33, said “The Sick Children’s Trust has been our lifeline throughout Dylan’s illness. We have stayed in three ‘Homes from Home’ and cannot overstate how wonderful they are. Our longest stay has been seven months and in that time the charity’s Crawford House in Newcastle became a second home to us. The accommodation enabled us to always be there for Dylan but also gave us the opportunity to get some rest away from the busy wards.

Even though Dylan is used to being in hospital, he still finds it frightening, especially before an operation, so we really do need to be by his side. Dylan has been through such a tough time and we are so proud of him.”

Dylan will be taking part in the Junior Great North Run wheelchair race on Saturday 6 September and has already raised a fantastic £173.

Gail Stonley, House Manager of Crawford House said “We have got to know Dylan and his family really well and are so pleased that he has chosen to take part in the Junior Great North Run to fundraise for our ‘Homes from Home.’ The money he is raising will help us to support many more families like his who have to travel miles away from home to receive specialist care. We will be there on the day to cheer him on and can’t wait to see him cross that finish line!”

To sponsor Dylan for his Junior Great North Run please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Victoria-Marshall6/