An East Yorkshire schoolboy living with a condition that affects the lungs is training hard for a cross-country half-marathon to raise funds and awareness of a charity that has supported his treatment.
Zac Brooke, 14, of Holme upon Spalding Moor, was diagnosed at just 16 days old with cystic fibrosis, a genetic, life-shortening condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. He has been supported all his life by the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Trust and the respiratory team at Leeds General Infirmary, where he attends appointments every six to eight weeks.
Now Zac, a student at Market Weighton School, is building up to a gruelling half-marathon with three of his school friends, Will, Will and Oscar, and some of his teachers, in aid of the CF Trust. The 13-mile run will be across country, a route taking in the rolling Yorkshire Wolds, fields and rural roads, so is “an extra big challenge for everyone involved”, said Zac’s mum, Amy Brooke.
“The boys have been training hard since March in their own time, on evenings and weekends, and running after school on Fridays with teachers. They have all shown tremendous commitment to the challenge,” she said.
The event will take place on Friday, September 19, and Zac has a JustGiving appeal page set up. Within two days of it being launched, the fundraiser had almost met its £600 target; now, it has more than doubled and currently stands at over £1,350.
(Image: Amy Brooke/justgiving.com)
Amy posted on the page: “Thank you to everyone who has donated to Zac’s fundraiser. We are blown away by your support. Please keep sharing Zac’s page. Your support is phenomenal.”
She said that now aged 14, there was “no stopping” her son. “He’s growing, thriving and not letting his condition stop him in any way.
“Zac takes numerous daily medications to help him manage his CF. The advances in this medication in Zac’s life has been vast and it is all thanks to the CF Trust funding vital research.
“He’d like to raise enough money to help the 11,000 people diagnosed with CF in the UK live a longer, unrestricted life.” His mum said: “Zac has always known the importance of sport and exercise to keep his lungs healthy.
“He has been a keen football player from a very young age, competes in athletics doing sprinting and long jump and also is a member of various sports clubs at school. Zac has designed training routes for him and his friends to prepare them for their half-marathon challenge.
(Image: Amy Brooke/justgiving.com)
“Zac is passionate about supporting the CF Trust, and started fundraising in Year 7 by nominating the CF Trust as a house charity for the school to support. That academic year they raised about £600.
“Zac knew he wanted to do a big event to raise money for the CF Trust using his passion for sport and exercise, and this is where the idea for his half-marathon was born. Zac has always had some amazing support from his school so the fact he is doing the half-marathon with the teachers who continually support him means a lot to him.”
Market Weighton School has a tradition of completing a walk in the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds countryside that surrounds the school, in which all pupils take part. “This year is the 50th anniversary of this 13-mile walk so to complete the half-marathon event the week before will be a very special moment for the school and pupils,” said Amy.
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