JAMES RAISES £1.3K WITH 26-MILE RUN FOR ‘HEART WARRIOR’ HENRY
RUNNER James Ellis has raised more than £1,300 for a charity which helped his family when his son underwent open heart surgery.
James, from Weston Coyney, completed the 26.2-mile Loch Ness Marathon in six hours, 32 minutes and 2 seconds to raise money for Young at Heart.
The charity – which supports families of children diagnosed with heart defects – helped the 38-yearold and wife Vicky after son Henry was born with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), which means there are holes between the chambers of the right and left sides of the heart.
Henry also has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) which affects normal blood flow. In simple terms it means he has ‘half a heart’.
The Sentinel reported in June that Henry, now aged one, was just six days old when he underwent the first of two bouts of heart surgery.
James has now thanked Young at Heart for their support by raising sponsorship from his first marathon – and little Henry was there to cross the finish line with him in Scotland.
James, who works at Ornua Foods in Leek, said: “The marathon experience was full of ups and downs – literally! – but one I will always remember. To finish carrying my heart warrior across the line with me made it so much better.
“I would also like to thank everybody for their sponsorship. It really is humbling.”
Claire Donnelly, chair of trustees at the charity, said: “Young at Heart are incredibly proud of our trustee and ‘heart dad’ James.
“We are only a small charity and the amount James has raised is amazing and will go a long way in helping the heart families we support.” ■