Report from Mike Downey



A local sixth-form student is hoping to raise awareness and funds to help combat the chronic illness Cystic Fibrosis, by organising a local charity run.

Lucy Baxter, 18, from New Longton near Preston, has lived with Cystic Fibrosis all her life, being diagnosed with the disease at the age of two and a half. Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic, genetic condition affecting all organs of the body, especially the lungs and the digestive system. People with CF are prone to getting bad chest infections, and breathing is very difficult. The disease also prevents fat from being absorbed into the body, and sufferers need to take enzymes to help.

"It's really difficult to put on weight," Lucy told QLocal today.

"Lots of people may think this is a wonderful thing! But when everyday is a struggle for calories and not losing kilograms, just maintaining a healthy minimum weight becomes a real challenge."'

'Leg it for Lucy' came about when Lucy decided to take on the challenge of running to improve her fitness and lung capacity. In the beginning the aim for Lucy was to be able to run a few kilometres, and she texted just a handful of friends to see if they would like to join her and maybe get some sponsorship. This seed of an idea very quickly grew, and within an hour over 30 people had offered to join in!

And on Saturday 4th March a full team of participants now numbering 60 people, supported by a further 20 stewards along the route, will be running, walking or cycling 22km from St. John's Church in Burscough to the Methodist Church Hall in New Longton.

Alongside Lucy, the youngest will be 6 years old, and the oldest into their 60's!

"Having Cystic Fibrosis myself, I knew this would be a little more difficult than for the average person, but I was up for the challenge!' Lucy explains.

"Due to my CF, on any normal day I have to do one hour of physiotherapy and treatment in the morning, and the same again in the evening. The extra effort needed for me to train for this run is therefore incredibly hard work. The support and encouragement of my family and friends has been unbelievable, and I'm amazed at how the' Leg it for Lucy' campaign has taken off. This all inspires me to keep at it and try to do my very best."

There is currently lots of research going on to help improve the lives of people living with Cystic Fibrosis, with medication in development that could help the lungs to work more effectively and make life more normal. However, life expectancy for someone like Lucy is still just 50 years old. To make further progress in understanding and combating the disease, more money is needed.

She said: "To me that is very scary, as the majority of my friends parents' are around this age including my own mother. It is a goal just to keep fit and healthy, and at the same time trying to live a normal life. My ambition is to grow old with the friends I have now, and not have to leave them earlier"

And fundraising is helping Lucy feel like she is helping other people who suffer everyday like her.

"I feel I can hopefully contribute to the treatment I will receive in the very near future, and also improve the lives of others like me over the years to come. I am really thankful from the bottom of my heart for all the donations and support received so far!"

Lucy's fundraising has already passed £2,000, but she would love to see that amount doubled. You can sponsor Leg it for Lucy through Virgin Money Giving, a not for profit organisation, with all donations being quickly processed and passed to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Please visit the Leg it for Lucy fundraising page www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/legitforlucy. Lucy and her team would also love to see lots of support on the day. On March 4th the 'athletes' can be cheered on from St John's Church in Burscough, with walkers starting at 9:30am and runners at 11:00. The route then takes in Bretherton, Much Hoole, and along the A59 to New Longton Methodist Church Hall. There will be refreshments and a band playing at the finishing post from 1:30pm, with most runners expected to have completed by 2:30. You can also keep in touch with the campaign via the Leg it for Lucy Facebook page.

Contact Lucy via her group Facebook page www.facebook.com/LegitforLucy2017

Info www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/legitforlucy www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk