Four mothers understand about cystic fibrosis, and are determined to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, inspired by the courage of their own six children living with the condition, and others.
Here are Sue, from Hayling, Sophie from Sarisbury Green, Mary from Horndean, and Sally, who lives in Gosport, but works in Havant. Aged from 30+ to 70+, all 4 believe that one day there will be a better future for the 10,000 people in the UK, and tomorrow’s generations. Only one baby in about every 2500 is born with this inherited condition, which affects the lungs and digestion, yet there are millions of people who, healthy themselves, unknowingly carry the defective gene.
Sophie has two gorgeous boys, and despite family life revolving around physiotherapy, medications and hospital visits, last year managed 2014 ‘self-propelled miles’ to advertise the Trust’s 50th anniversary. This year, she is running in the London Marathon. To raise sponsorship, she hosted a Virtual 5K, and among others, Mary (a marathon runner herself) and Sue ( a beginner) walked their 5 K on the Billy Trail on Hayling, and received their medals from Sophie.
Meanwhile, thanks to the much appreciated support of Havant library managers, Julia Nelson-Tomsen, and Jill Welfare, and Pfizer Havant’s Community Fund Scheme , Sue Kruk, secretary of the local Trust branch, recently handed over 6 copies of Tim Wotton’s new book ‘‘How have I cheated death?’’ to Julia and Jill , to help spread the word about cystic fibrosis.
Jenny Agutter writes of Tim’s book ‘For anyone facing any form of life challenge this is a compelling and heartening story’. He is a non-fiction finalist for the UK’s People’s Book Prize and will find out if he’s won his category in May 2015, with the winner’s ceremony being televised.
Tim, Hampshire born and bred, and a skilled hockey player, is now much in demand, as a spokesman for those with CF.
There are so few of us, says Sue, and we’re always short on time. People with cystic fibrosis, who can look so well to the outside world, must undergo a horrendous daily regime of treatment, with never a day off. Any help, however small, is always much appreciated, says Sue— borrow Tim’s book, display a poster, share a facebook posting, grow a sunflower, listen to our song, Breathe With Me, or do a Strawfie. Details can be found at www.facebook.com/CFPortsmouth and our ‘Cystic Fibrosis Week’ is June 6 to 14.
