A NEW cycling group has been formed with one specific mission – to help find a cure for a local boy’s rare disease.
Five-year old Connor Crawford was diagnosed in February last year with the fatal and incurable condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy [DMD].
Soon afterwards, his parents, Matthew and Emma, established the charity Chasing Connor’s Cure.
This weekend, Mr Crawford and a team of nine family members and friends, will take on a gruelling 24-hour, 300km bike ride from London to Paris to raise awareness and funds for research.
The challenge, known as the Duchenne Dash, has been running for five years, with the number of riders and funds raised increasing each time.
This year there will be 160 riders hoping to raise £1million; the local contingent who are supporting Connor are aiming to contribute £20,000.
Duchenne affects around 2,500 patients in the UK. Those diagnosed are almost always boys.
It attacks the muscles and in most cases mobility is lost by the age of ten. In general, it will eventually lead to prematurely taking life from the late 20s.
Mr Crawford said: “Suffering from Duchenne has meant Connor struggles with the small things that most boys take for granted – kicking a ball, climbing a tree or simply riding a bike. Â
“So, as Connor’s muscles weaken, mine and my team of ten strengthen; all of us are as determined as one another to raise as much money as possible.
“Whether it buys time, therapy or, more crucially, a cure, we all know that boys like Connor will stand a better chance with research.”
Visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/connorscure
