Our dream to find a cure for Clark (From St Helens Star)

Our dream to find a cure for Clark

12:36pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

THE mother of a five-year-old boy with a devastating muscle-wasting condition has urged fundraisers to back a campaign to find a cure.

Clark Doyle was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy 18 months ago.

The disease – which four-old Jack Johnson, son of ex-Wigan rugby league player Andy, also suffers from - causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasingly severe disability and significantly shortened life-expectancy.

Now Clark’s mum Katy, 30, is asking Star readers to back the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Make Today Count event.

On March 2 she will join 100 people who are skydiving at sites around the UK, in recognition of the 100 children born each year with the condition.

It is hoped that Team 100 will raise £50,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund.

It was set up to provide funding for leading scientists working on promising potential treatments.

Mother-of-two Katy, who lives with husband Mike, 31, at Waterside Village, off Lowfield Lane, said: “Clark was diagnosed with Duchenne just over eighteen months ago.

“Although it was a huge shock we've had a good experience with the NHS and school and feel this is down to charities like the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

“Our hopes rely on research so I knew I had to do the skydive to help raise funds. I'm nervous but excited. We're having a great response with fundraising and its giving everyone a better understanding of our situation.

“There is increasing hope of a treatment for Duchenne.

“It could help to change the lives of hundreds of boys like Clark for the better.”

Aspiring dare-devils wishing to join the group, will be asked to raise £399 sponsorship for their efforts, and can choose from a variety of skydive sites. Those without a head for heights can also support the campaign by sponsoring divers.

Katy, meanwhile, has also organised fundraising days (on the weekends of Feb 23 and 24 and March 2 and 3) to take place at B&Q St Helens, where she is a customer service advisor.

She added: “We have a good family around us who are really supportive. We just want Clark to be happy – no matter what.

“He goes to Thatto Heath Primary School and loves to play – such as dressing up as Batman.

“Obviously things like football and rugby are difficult but he does try. He understands to a degree and just know his muscles are different.”

Awareness of the condition has been raised significantly over the past year following the creation of the Joining Jack charity.

To find out more about Make Today Count visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org/maketodaycount or to find out more about skydive locations across the UK