Emma Clarke is running 150 miles for The Lily Foundation

Emma Clarke is running 150 miles throughout the summer to fundraise for The Lily Foundation, a charity which aims to improve the lives of people affected by mitochondrial diseases.

Max Hannon, aged 13, was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in November 2019 following a five year display of symptoms.

Emma said: "Max's eyelids started drooping and he was very tired. I took him to Moorfields Eye Hospital where they discovered it was mitochondrial disease in under an hour. The genetic test results came through last year after waiting for two years and Max was diagnosed. It was a shock for him."

Since that moment, Emma has been conjuring up ways to fundraise for The Lily Foundation which has done so much to support Max.

To put her thoughts into action, Emma decided to take part in the My Mito Miles challenge, where every mile counts in the fight against mitochondrial disease.

The aim is to walk, run, cycle or more around the Earth, a total of 24,901 miles to fundraise and raise awareness.

Emma has chosen to run 150 miles as her contribution to the challenge.

She said: "We have to clock all our miles before September 19 2020, which is during Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. My goal is to raise £1000 and I have already raised nearly £600. I want to do my bit to help out, The Lily Foundation have been wonderful."

Although Emma is keen to raise money for the charity, she also wants to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease and how rare it is.

Emma said: "It has been such a whirlwind and learning your child has this disease is not what any parent wants to hear. Max is incredible. He is such a ray of sunshine and positivity who has had so many hospital appointments. This is just a journey I have to go on with him. "

To support Emma, visit her justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamMaxHannon

To find out more about mitochondrial disease, visit The Lily Foundation website: https://www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk/