A family has signed up for the Oxford Town & Gown 10k race to support a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Joe Littler, four, has the muscle-weakening condition.
His best friend Robin, three, from Banbury, will be taking part in the fundraiser along with his parents.
This is the latest fundraising run for Joe’s group of family and friends.
Robin Keegan and Joe Littler Picture: Muscular Dystrophy UK
The race will take place in the city centre on Sunday, June 27, with event safety specialists planning a Covid-secure event in line with the Government’s easing of lockdown.
It is the 39th year of the race, which raises funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
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Rebekah Pawley, 37, a civil servant, and Sam Keegan, 36, a patent attorney, have been fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK since 2017, when they ran in the charity’s Cambridge Town and Gown 10k. They are close friends with Joe’s parents Hannah and Stephen Littler.
Mrs Littler said: “We were devastated when we received Joe’s diagnosis but the support we’ve received from family and friends has been amazing.
“We know that every penny counts and can help to bring hope and a stronger future for Joe and others who have muscle wasting conditions so having Bex and her family support us through this run is fantastic.”
Rebekah and Sam will run the Oxford Town and Gown 10k pushing Robin in his pushchair.
Joe was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in May 2017, when he was six months old. His family lives in Bedford and his mum Hannah and Rebekah have been friends for over 30 years.
Ms Pawley said: “I am really looking forward to getting out and taking part in an event in person. We signed up because it’s in Oxford, which is convenient for us, and we haven’t been able to get into the city throughout the pandemic, but also because we’d like to keep supporting MDUK. Robin is really excited to take part in his first event!”
Town & Gown runners in 2019 Picture: Muscular Dystrophy UK
She added: “This has huge emotional significance for us as it is tied up with our feelings of being grateful for what we have, and accepting what is out of our control.
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“I am a bystander to my friends’ experience with diagnosis, grief and acceptance, and living day-to-day with their son having Duchenne. The degenerative nature of the condition means that unless a treatment is discovered, all Joe’s hard-won achievements, like learning to stand and move, will gradually be taken away. We want to contribute in some small way to the work that MDUK does to support families living with that reality, and to support research to find treatments or cures.”
Krishan Solanki, MDUK head of events said: “Our event provides a wonderful vehicle for people to raise vital funds for MDUK.
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“I hope the example of Rebekah and Robin will inspire others to sign up.”
Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for 70,000 people living with muscle-wasting conditions.
For more visit townandgown10k.com/oxford.
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