School cheers as Lancaster boy completes 30-day challenge to run daily 5k for charity

Classmates at a Lancaster primary school cheered 10-year-old Ethan Wilson-Fish over the finishing line this week as he completed a charity run which saw him run 5km every day throughout November.
Ethan Wilson-Fish.Ethan Wilson-Fish.
Ethan Wilson-Fish.

Moorside Primary School pupil Ethan ran different routes through Lancaster's streets every day to raise money for a charity close to his family's hearts.

His dad Oliver, who kept up with Ethan on his daily runs, has stayed in touch with his friend Lucy Stenbeck as their families grew up in the 20 years since they were at school together.

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He said: “As a family they have had to face something we do not. Eight-year-old Jett has a severe form of Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy which means his legs and arms are weak and feel heavy and sore all the time. He suffers excruciating cramps and it also affects his heart and brain.

Ethan Wilson-Fish.Ethan Wilson-Fish.
Ethan Wilson-Fish.

"He has learning delays, finds daily life very challenging and has to wear uncomfortable leg braces to slow the rate at which his tendons shorten. He takes daily medications and Lucy and her husband Dave have to massage and stretch his legs. Over the years he will become more reliant on his wheelchair.

"Despite all of this Jett and his family, who live near Ripon, are incredibly positive, full of fun and responsible for bringing the REAL Father Christmas to their local village hall each year which is one of the ways they raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

"We decided they should not have to raise money alone and decided to do the daily run to help them.”

Oliver added that Ethan has managed really well.

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“He is definitely sleeping better as a result - but I’m shattered!" he said. "We are really proud of his positive and caring attitude; the weather hasn’t always been kind but he has wanted to go out every day regardless, because he made a commitment to complete this challenge.”

Jett’s mum Lucy said: “I was thrilled when Oli told me Ethan wanted to raise money for The Jett Pack, and amazed that he’s raised over a thousand pounds through his friends, our friends, and even total strangers donating.

"The majority of money raised for The Jett Pack is passed to the national charity Muscular Dystrophy UK for research into the muscular dystrophies in hope of finding better treatments and one day a cure.

"A small portion is saved to help with the costs our family will face as Jett’s condition worsens, to buy equipment and modify our home to allow him to live with dignity and as comfortably as possible.

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"This year our regular events have had to be cancelled so we are especially grateful for Ethan’s efforts.

“Ethan should be very proud of himself. I’m sure his legs are aching - a reminder of why he’s doing this as Jett’s legs feel like that every day. What he’s done is just phenomenal!”

Regional development manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK, Suzanne Driffiel,d said: “This is such a heart-warming story of a friendship formed at school bringing two families together to support the charity.

"I have followed Ethan’s progress through the month and he is inspirational! We can’t thank him and his Dad Oliver enough for their efforts.”

You can support Ethan and his dad here - he has already smashed his £250 target by raising almost £1,500.

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