Dad to run 270 miles to fund daughter's treatment

A father will be running about 270 miles (435km) in eight days in a bid to raise money to fund life-changing treatment for his young daughter with cerebral palsy.

James will run in May from where his four-year-old daughter Frankie was born in Truro, Cornwall, back to his home in Worcester.

He is taking on the ultra-marathon challenge to raise about £50,000 to pay for treatments not available on the NHS which could help Frankie to live more independently.

James said his daughter, who was born prematurely at 28 weeks, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at two years old and has complex needs.

He told BBC Hereford and Worcester she also had global developmental delays as well as being autistic and non-verbal.

"Despite all that, she's the happiest, most resilient little girl I know," James said. "She's inspired me to take on this challenge."

He has been training "properly" since about six weeks before Christmas, having mentioned the idea to his friends while at the pub.

He was forced to take a two-week break from running after pulling his calf tendon but said he was now back "with a vengeance".

His GoFundMe page has raised more than £20,000 towards his £50,000 target, which would be used for treatments designed to help Frankie walk and talk.

These include stem cell therapy and Napa intensive therapy - a specialist programme designed to accelerate progress in movement, strength and communication.

"I cannot believe the support that we've had," James said. "It's been absolutely unbelievable, and I'll be forever grateful to everybody who has not just donated but who has shared our story."

He said other parents had been in touch with him about their children with cerebral palsy, and he wanted to help them to not "face the same fight" he had in advocating for his daughter's care.

"I've had to advocate loudly and persistently, and it shouldn't be this way," he said.

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