Member Article

Mactech’s Managing Director Hopes to Keep Pace

On Sunday 13th September Mactech’s Managing Director, Andrew McFarlane, will line up with nearly 60,000 other people, to take part in this years’ Great North Run. By doing so he is hoping to raise plenty of money for his chosen charity, FOP Friends – Friends of Oliver.

FOP, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, is one of the rarest and most disabling genetics conditions known to medicine. It causes bone to form in muscles and other connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, turning otherwise healthy people into human statues. Hence why the condition is often referred to as stone man syndrome, leaving a healthy mind locked inside a frozen body.

Currently there is no known cure or medication available.

As the condition is so rare, known worldwide cases of around 700, there are no government funds dedicated to researching FOP and it potential cures.

Andrew is running the Great North Run for Oliver, a son of a friend, whom was diagnosed with FOP at the age of one. Over time it is predicted that by his tenth birthday Oliver will be severely restricted, he is seven, eventually being unable to move by his late twenties and only has a life expectancy of just forty.

That is unless a cure can be found, and donations will enable the research into this to continue.

Of the challenge ahead Andrew stated “I know that for every pace ran I am, hopefully, helping raise money for this fantastic cause. Having witness the progression of this condition personally I understand the need for the research to continue, either to cure or keep FOP at bay.”

The Great North Run is a half marathon, consisting of a 13.1mile route through Newcastle City Centre, across the iconic Tyne Bridge, travelling through South Shields where the runners will finish. The prestigious event attracts some of the worlds’ most elite athletes, including this year Britain’s’ very own Mo Farah and David Weir.

If you would like to support Andrew and FOP Friends – Friends of Oliver, please visit his money giving page by click here.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Michaela Smith-Moore .