We are delighted to share Nick’s story, where he talks about his 100 mile challenge and the incredible young man who inspires him.
My story
My name is Nick Heathcote and I’m a Captain with Thomson Airways.
Sam is a healthy 16 year old boy, with a normal life expectancy. His passion is Rugby.
He has a fabulous sense of humour, impeccable manners and a charismatic personality that everyone warms to. He idolises his mum, dad and sisters and when he grows older, Sam would like to follow in dads’ footsteps and become an airline pilot.
Toby is also 16 year old boy, his passion is cars.
He also has a fabulous sense of humour, impeccable manners and an infectious personality. He idolises his mum dad and sister too and when he grows older, would also like to follow in mums’ footsteps and become an airline pilot.
Toby and Sam are good friends.
Two young, happy, 16 year old friends, different families with parents involved in the same careers. One difference….
Sadly life’s lottery has dealt a blow to Toby’s dreams and aspirations as at the age of 5 he was diagnosed with the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which affects the muscles causing muscle weakness, primarily near the trunk of the body, around the hips and shoulders.
DMD is a very serious condition and it does shorten life. Because the muscle weakness increases gradually over the years, complications eventually develop. The breathing or heart problems usually become more serious for older teenagers or people in their 20’s. The outlook will improve with advances in treatment.
Sam has for several months, asked for book donations and you the public have risen to the occasion. An admirable gesture for such a young man approaching his 17th Birthday.
I am proud to say that Sam is my son.
He has inspired me, once again following a cycle trip around Cambodia and Vietnam, to publicise Toby’s debilitating, cruel disease.
Here is a link of me talking about muscular dystrophy, made 5 years ago just prior to the cycle trip.
The challenge
In June, I intend to run 100 miles. Compared to Marathon runners this may seem a small amount, but considering up to 3 years ago, that I had never run more than a mile in my life it is challenging to me!
Your generosity will help fund research and campaign for better standards of care for all people living with DMD.
I suppose that human nature dictates, when someone close develops an illness, one closes ranks and helps in whatever way they can and yet keep other just as worth while charities at a distance, should they not, in ones naivety affect you.
Perhaps that’s a lesson that all charities mean something to someone and Toby’s charity means everything to us.
Hope, music and making things happen despite Duchenne
