A doting dad is running the London marathon to raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis – which affects his son, Finley, a Millwall super-fan aged eight.
Wayne Shoults, 34, who was born and raised in Walworth will be undertaking the gruelling run on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in April which funds research into the condition.
The condition causes the body to produce thick mucus negatively affecting sufferers’ lungs, digestive system and liver.
Finley was diagnosed with CF at three weeks old, which Wayne and mum Danielle, 34, say was a massive shock to the family.
Wayne said: “It came as quite a shock to us, to myself and my wife, coming to terms with everything.”
Finley’s condition has motivated him to run marathons to fund-raise for the CF trust, he says.
“This’ll be my fourth marathon and my third London marathon. Before Finley was born I did nothing, I was pig ignorant [about CF].”
He is hoping to raise £4,000 to match what he has achieved in previous years.
Despite having to take forty tablets a day and doing two daily physio sessions to dislodge mucus from his lungs, little Finley doesn’t let Cystic Fibrosis get in the way of doing what he wants to do.
The Millwall supporter – whose favourite player is Jed Wallace – travels all around the country to see the Lions play, is the captain of his football team, and has even appeared in a TV advert.
“From looking at Finley you wouldn’t know he’s got this condition,” said dad Wayne, who met wife Danielle at high school in Walworth.
He added: “It’s an invisible illness. But it can be quite severe.”
The family, who moved out of the borough to Welling around five years ago, say they feel CF is a “forgotten illness” which doesn’t get the attention or funding it deserves.
Medicines which could help improve lung function for people with CF are not funded by the NHS because they’re too expensive added Wayne.
The charity Wayne is fundraising for also relies on donations to fund research into a possible cure for the illness. He has so far raised over £400.
If you would like to donate to Wayne’s sponsored marathon run, you can find all of the details here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/shoultsy