Wheelchair-bound Jamie Maloney will be waiting proudly at the finish line on Sunday, April 21 for his son Alfie and brother Terry.
Both are pushing themselves to their physical limits to help find a cure for paralysis after an accident that left Jamie paralysed from the chest down, aged just 28.
Terry Maloney, Jamie’s brother, talking about the incident said: “We had previously lost another brother of mine in a car accident so it was a very difficult time for our family.”
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He added: “But the way Jamie has responded to the challenges of his new life is an inspiration.
“I’ve seen him during his darkest times but he always powers through with such a positive attitude.
“The struggles he goes through on a daily basis and the strength he has shown me makes me so proud to be his brother.”
Builder Terry, from Debden near Saffron Walden, has no prior experience running a marathon but is ready to take on the incredible feat to raise funds for Spinal Research – the UK’s leading charity dedicated to finding treatments for paralysis following a spinal cord injury.
Terry will not be alone during the gruelling race.
His nephew and Jamie’s son, 19-year-old Alfie, will join him on the starting line.
Terry said: “Jamie and Alfie have such a special bond and it’s definitely going to be a very emotional day.
“But we are doing this in honour of Jamie and for such a brilliant charity.”
Alfie, a sports science student working with Charlton Athletic FC and an assistant coach at Cray Wanderers girls football team, said: “I was only 3 months old when my Dad broke his neck.
“It’s always been my dream to play football with him, sadly my dream will never come true, but I’d like to do my little bit in helping other children’s dreams come true.”
About 60,000 people in the UK struggle daily with the life-altering effects of a spinal cord injury.
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Some of the consequences can include an inability to control bladder, bowel, and sexual functions, and poor control over temperature and breathing.
However, there is hope for the future with ground-breaking treatments being developed.
Tara Stewart, Chair of Spinal Research, reveals: “The great news is that later this year the first function restoring treatment in history for chronic spinal cord injury is due to be launched.
“There are also a lot of other treatments in the wings that just need funding to be delivered to the people who need it.”
