Inspired by older brother’s fight

When promising softballer Michael Cocks had his first multiple sclerosis flare-up at the age of 13 his life changed forever.

The then-teenager, who is now 45 and lives in Sturry Road, was left disabled down one side of his body and had to re-learn how to walk, talk and use his hands, an ordeal he has gone through twice since following relapses.

His fighting spirit has now inspired his younger brother to run the London Marathon for a third time to raise funds for people living with the debilitating condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord and often causes pain and exhaustion.

Liam Dowd, 36, says knowing what Michael has gone through over the years is what gives him the motivation to endure the training he needs ahead of the 26-mile race on April 28.

“Being a younger brother, seeing Mike constantly go back to square one is hard,” he said. “But I can’t imagine what he has had to go through, going from being fully able-bodied one day to not knowing how to walk the next.

“He has had to re- learn everything that we take for granted. Knowing what he goes through on a daily basis, for the last 30 years, me having to wake up in the morning and run five miles is nothing.”

Liam hopes to raise £3,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The charity funds Canterbury’s MS Centre, which his brother regularly visits for specialist physiotherapy and exercise classes, as well as research into the debilitating condition.

“It helps him and gives him an opportunity to meet people who know what he is going through,” he said. “It’s been a lifeline and helps him to keep pushing on. It gives him a safe place to exercise. It’s a lot harder for someone like my brother to be in a gym, but this place has equipment which is especially tailored for him.”

n Sponsor him at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/liamdowd2018.