WARRINGTON Policeman Andy Blizard, 29, (pictured top) is running the London Marathon in memory of his wife’s 18 month old son who died tragically of meningitis.
He will be cheered on by his wife Kelly-Ann, 33, whose son Daniel Cain (pictured right) died of the disease in 1996.
Despite never having run more than three miles before, Andy has vowed to complete the run and raise £1,500 for Meningitis UK.
To get in training he has “ditched the chips and burgers” in favour of a more healthy diet. Kelly-Ann, who is also a police officer, is supporting him.
He runs four times a week to train for the race on April 21, and plans to run the Wilmslow Marathon on March 24.
Andy said: “Based on my running times at the moment I should finish the marathon in around four hours 30 minutes, but I’d like to get that down to under three hours.
“My wife is over the moon I’m raising money to help put a stop to meningitis. I have always said I wanted to do it, but never got round to it before. She told me to just get on with it. There’s no doubt I’m going to get to the finish line – even if it’s on all fours.”
Kelly-Ann was only 17 when Daniel became ill. He started having convulsions and was rushed to hospital.
By 9am the following morning, his condition had deteriorated and he was transferred to Pendlebury Hospital. But the disease had taken hold and Daniel died in the ambulance before reaching the hospital.
Andy said: “This is my challenge, it’s personal to me as losing a child to meningitis is something my wife went through. I can see the effect meningitis has had on her and continues to have to this day.
“Meningitis is a horrible disease and happens so quickly. Daniel died within a day and a half of becoming ill.”
To boost funds further, Andy and Kelly-Ann are organising a charity night at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub in Warrington on Saturday February 23, to include live music, an auction and raffle.
Tickets cost £5 each, and are available by emailing [email protected]
