‘No better way to spend annual leave’: West End man spending June fundraising for son’s rare illness

Until recently, Ian Milbourne’s son Cameron had never met someone like him.

The West End policeman’s 10-year-old son suffers from a rare genetic condition called Trichothiodystrophy (TTD).

When Cameron was diagnosed a few years ago, he was only one of 200 people who had ever received an official diagnosis.

It was therefore only when attending a worldwide conference held by charity Amy and Friends that Cameron met someone else with TTD for the first time.

Now, to raise money for the charity, Mr Milbourne will run 30 half marathons in 30 days this month.

The officer had never actually taken up running until January this year but has already begun his challenge.

Mr Milbourne is setting off at Wylam each day and then running to Ovingham via Prudhoe and back for 30 days straight.

It’s all in the name of Amy and Friends who offer life-changing support to children living with TTD.

Speaking about his challenge, Mr Milbourne said: “My son Cameron has a life-limiting condition called Trichothiodystrophy (TTD), something most people probably won’t have heard of. But it basically affects his whole body, and he sometimes needs a wheelchair as he can fall quite easily.

“Amy and Friends is an amazing charity set up to help families like mine, and last year we went to the conference they host where people from all over the world attend.

“It was amazing as Cameron got to meet people just like him and was the first time he’d actually ever met anyone with the disease he has.

“The care and support they offer families is phenomenal and I knew I needed to do something to help.

“Cameron challenged me to run 30 half marathons for every day in June - 393 miles.

“I’ve always been fit and healthy but the first time I’d ever ran a proper race was January this year, so it’s been a real challenge so far.

“I’ve got friends and colleagues from across the Force who have agreed to come and take part in various runs with me, the show of support has been amazing. It’s probably not how everyone wants to spend their annual leave, but I can’t think of a better way.”

Mr Milbourne is now on day 14 of his challenge and so far has raised a total of £4449.

If you would like to donate to his cause, please follow the link to his JustGiving page here.