FOR the Rich family, crossing the finish line is not about winning the race – it is a symbol of hope for the future.
Sisters Nicole, six, and Jessica, three, are among only around 20 children in the UK who suffer from Batten disease – a fatal degenerative brain disorder which slowly robs sufferers of the ability to walk, talk and see.
Without treatment, sufferers are not expected to live into their teens, but the sisters are having pioneering drug treatment which it is hoped could halt the illness.
Yesterday they travelled with their family from Newcastle to join 3,000 other runners taking part in the Great Scottish Run Family Mile, to raise awareness of Batten disease.
Mum Gail, 41, said: “It is emotional when we are crossing the finish line.”
The inspiration just keeps on coming… Nicole Rich has Batten Disease and was determined to finish the Family Mile herself. ?#LetsBeatBattens @BattenDiseaseUK #GreatScottishRun pic.twitter.com/h9Nvl0ob7w
— Great Scottish Run (@GreatScotRun) September 29, 2018
Dad Matthew, 31, who is originally from Glasgow, said: “Hope is the biggest word we use – as no-one knows what is round the corner.”
Seven-year-old Jackson Waddell, from Irvine, who has cerebral palsy, also completed the event. Last year we told how he was taking part in the run to raise money for surgery in the US.
He underwent the operation in April and demonstrated his progress as he crossed the finish line with the help of a walking frame.
Tomorrow around 20,000 runners are expected to take to the streets of Glasgow as part of the biggest running weekend in Scotland.
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