Friends scale new heights for siblings
EPIC TREKS HELP RAISE THOUSANDS FOR NICOLE AND JESSICA
A person was hit by a train in Northumberland yesterday.
Just before 9.30, paramedics were called to a section of the East Coast Main Line between Newcastle and Morpeth, where one person had been hit by a oncoming train.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 9.24am to reports of an incident Newcastle and Morpeth, where we deployed three resources.” These resources, the spokesperson said, were later stood down.
Virgin and Cross Country Trains were left at a standstill between Newcastle and Berwick following the tragedy, and passengers faced delays for much of the rest of the day. All disruption was cleared by 5.30pm. Reporter THEY are inseparable sisters who both suffer from a rare genetic disease of which there is no cure.
And the pair’s tragic story has pulled on the heartstrings of caring pals Jon McManus and Neill Richardson who are determined to help the siblings achieve their wish list before their lives are cut short.
Jon and Neill, both 34, have already raised more than £5,000 for five-yearold Nicole Rich and her 23-monthold sister Jessica.
The Throckley tots both suffer from Battens disease, an extremely rare neurodegenerative condition which means they might not make it to their teenage years.
The family was dealt the cruellest of blows when on the way to Finland last year, to let Nicole see Santa before Batten’s robs her completely of her sight and mobility, their doctor called to say little Jessica was also a sufferer.
Now Jon and Neill are determined to help the girls by raising money for the Nicole Rich Foundation and the Batten Disease Family Association for ongoing research.
Neill, from Low Fell, Gateshead, said: “Jon has got two children and I’ve got two daughters. When we heard about Nicole and Jessica we knew we had to do something.
“Then when we found out the devastating news her sister Jessica had also been diagnosed with the disease, we were determined to raise as much as we could for them.”
Their squad – Team Strongness – brings together like-minded fitness enthusiasts who want to push themselves to their limits in order to raise money for worthwhile causes.
Last month, they took part in Rat Race’s Man vs Lakes – an epic 26.2mile chase starting on the sands of Morecambe Bay before winding to the foothills of Lake Windermere in the Lake District.
Jon, from Gosforth, said: “The event was brilliant. There were four of us and we did the whole thing as a team.”
Team Strongness are now setting their sights on the Man vs Mountains challenge – a punishing 22-mile race to the summit of Snowdon and down the other side, due to take place September 2.
Jon added: “The people taking part in this aren’t runners, they’re not used to doing things like this. But we want to keep topping the size and scale of the events every time.” Neill said: “We just want to help
raise money for things like the bucket list put together for the girls, and anything they need really.”
Jon and Neill’s determination to raise money started in 2014, when Jon’s uncle and cousin Damian and Evan McManus went missing during a hike in Colorado.
The first Team Strongness outing raised money for the Alpine Rescue Team, who logged over 4,500 man hours scouring Mount Goliath for the pair in treacherous conditions before their bodies were found.
Since then, the team has widened its reach, with Jon, a health and safety manager and Neill, who works in manufacturing, encouraging members to take part in their own events.
Neill said: “Eventually we hope to have a big network of people who want to take part in events for their own personal achievements, supporting a group of charities along the way.”
The girl’s mum, Gail, 30, who also has son Louis, six, said: “When things get tough, it is great to know we are not alone. We are so grateful to everyone who has raised money.”
Last week, Nicole has received treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, while Jessica has flown to Germany where she is on a sibling trial. It is hoped in the near future the pair can be both treated at Great Ormond Street together.
To help the team hit their target of £10,000 for The Nicole Rich Foundation, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/teamstrongness