Alfie Feilden

On March 11th we are running the Bath Half Marathon in aid of Alfie Feilden who is the son of our friend Rowan Feilden, and brother of Charlie, his twin. Incredibly sadly, Alfie has been diagnosed with SMA, an inherited neuromuscular condition that affects nerve cells in the spinal cord called anterior horn cells. SMA is a degenerative illness which causes messages from the brain which travel along the spinal cord to be distorted once they reach the anterior horn cells, and causes the muscles to waste away (atrophy) in those affected. The motor neurons affected in SMA are those which enable walking, crawling, arm and hand movement, head and neck movement and swallowing. The muscles used in breathing can also be affected. The brain and sensory nerves, which allow us to feel sensation such as temperature and touch, are not affected in SMA. Alfie's condition does not affect him mentally, and he is a tremendously bright, warm and loving little boy. However physically, it means Alfie suffers from reoccurring chest infections, restricted movement all over his body which continues to worsen, and general weakness. What we aim to do is raise money for an all-terrain wheelchair for Alfie, along with other equipment and treatment, which will massively increase his mobility, and will open up a whole new world to him which is currently inaccessible on his home on the farm in Wiltshire. There is no NHS or government funding available for this type of wheelchair, and his current wheel chair can only cope with flat terrain. However, the model we wish to get him will allow him to play with his peers, his brother Charlie, go for walks on the beach and through the fields, and make the rest of his life as enjoyable and inclusive as possible. For the most part, we are a fairly unfit group of individuals, and thirteen miles is probably more than most of us have ever ran in our lives, so any donation would be hugely appreciated. It is a cause very close to our hearts, and the wheel chair will make the world of difference to the remainder of Alfie's life. Thank you so much, -The Running for Alfie team