A run for Archie
A COUPLE whose toddler son has been diagnosed with a fatal and debilitating condition are urging people to join them in a charity run to fund research desperately searching for a cure.
Samantha Hurst and Wayne Armsden’s lives were “shattered” when they found out their son, Archie, could die before he reached the age of 20.
When he was just one year old, Archie was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy -a rare condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.
Doctors said the youngster, who is now threeand-a-half, will require a wheelchair by the age of 12 and there is currently no cure.
But the Croft couple refused to give up hope and launched a fundraising mission called Archie’s Army in January last year in a bid to fund vital research.
So far they have raised £16,000 so far for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Family and friends of Archie will take part in a run organised by the charity on March 5.
The Leicester Town and Gown event will take place in Victoria Park, incorporating parts of the University of Leicester campus.
Samantha said: “The whole reason for doing this is to find a cure.
“Even if the training takes months, even if I’m the slowest on the track, I want to do this because it’s something Archie will never be able to do.
“We all have the chance to run 5km or 10km – even if we don’t want to. Archie doesn’t have that luxury.
“We want to find a cure, for our boy and all the others affected. It helps keep my mind off what is going on.”
The couple first took Archie to the doctors when he was six months old because he was unable to walk and were told he was a perfectly healthy little boy.
Several trips and a blood test later, doctors delivered the heart-crushing news.
Samantha said: “That day, our lives were shattered. We cried while we told our friends and family that we would certainly lose our boy to this awful condition, possibly before he reached his 20s. We were inconsolable.
“We were told there was no treatment or cure and to take our little boy home and love him while we can.”
The family were told symptoms could start from the age of two, but at three-and-a-half Archie is not showing any yet.
“At his last appointment the doctor said if he didn’t have his notes in front of him, he wouldn’t think there was anything wrong with him,” said Samantha.
“But that makes me panic. It could start at any point. We are racing against the clock to find a cure before it’s too late.”
Over time, Archie will lose his ability to walk and the use of his arms and, due to weak bones, will develop painful skeletal deformities.
Leicester Town and Gown is one of three 10km runs organised by Muscular Dystrophy UK this year - the others being Oxford and Cambridge.
The charity is hoping to raise £230,000 from the three.
Samantha said the char- ity has helped them come to terms with the terrifying reality.
She said: “It’s nice knowing there’s a knowledgeable but independent voice at the end of the phone.
“On the day, Archie will be there to cheer everyone on. Please sign up and help contribute to finding a cure.”
Registration costs £16. To sign up visit http:// www.townandgown10k. com