The father of a Hitchin boy who endures twice-daily injections and weekly hospital visits intends to smash the world record for the fastest marathon dressed as Mr Potato Head.
Andy Patterson will take on the challenge in Sunday’s London Marathon in aid of Societi, the UK Kawasaki Foundation.
His inspiration is his three-year-old son Stanley – whose diagnosis with Kawasaki disease last year stirred Andy’s wife Lucy to create cartoon superhero The Kawasaki Kid.
“You may not have heard of Kawasaki disease,” said Andy.
“We hadn’t until Stanley, our little boy, suddenly got very very sick.
“Kawasaki disease is an inflammatory process that can affect almost every system in the body. If not treated, it works its way through the body until it reaches the coronary artery causing lifelong irreparable damage.
“Stanley now lives with two giant aneurisms on his coronary artery and endures daily injections, medication and weekly hospital visits.
“Despite all of this he is the most incredible happy and beautiful little boy that loves life. He is my inspiration and will be my motivation.”
Lucy based The Kawasaki Kid on Stanley. “He is a superhero, and like Stanley he has spirit in his heart and fire in his belly,” she said.
Andy, who is a keen marathon runner and a member of Stevenage’s Fairlands Valley Spartans, has raised almost £2,800 for Societi through this challenge.
He intends to beat the current record for fastest marathon dressed as Mr Potato Head – three hours, 24 minutes and 19 seconds, set by Philip Powell of Maidstone at last year’s London Marathon.
Andy said: “It would mean the world to me and my family if you could join us in supporting this charity by sparing a few pounds.
“We never knew anything about Kawasaki disease. The symptoms are similar to other childhood illnesses. Please be aware of the signs – temperature, sore mouth, cracked lips, red tongue, skin rash, and swollen glands.”
Andy is also set to take on a horse in a 22-mile off-road race in Wales this June to raise more money. Lucy is in training to take on the 100km (62-mile) London 2 Brighton Challenge on May 26, also in aid of Societi.
To find out more or donate to Andy’s cause, see justgiving.com/angeakamrpotatohead.
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