Dan Huggins, 40, is taking on the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge to raise money for specialised physiotherapy for nine-year-old Malaya Rose from Portsmouth.
Malaya was born premature and with quad spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, which means she has very tight muscles in her legs, arms and core, and limited co-ordination.
The family raised more than £40,000 for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy and the necessary physiotherapy which would help Malaya with sitting, standing, playing, daily activities of all sorts and possibly even allow her to walk in 2019. She is about to have another hip operation later this month.
Malaya still needs physiotherapy every week which is not available on the NHS and costs more than £100 per session. Dan is hoping to raise fund to help cover these costs.
Dan, a store manager, worked with Buster almost 20 years ago and they have remained friends ever since. Dan said:
‘I lost my father following a heart attack at the end of 2019, which was a wake up call for me.’
‘At the time I weighed 21.5 stone and was not healthy. I took up running and now run 30 to 40 miles a week, and have lost more than four stone.’
‘I was looking for a challenge to undertake, and I also want to help Malaya get the therapy she needs.’
‘Malaya is an inspiration to me – a shining star who never complains despite the huge hurdles she has already overcome. Her smile and laugh light up any room she goes into. I want to support Malaya because she has never once asks for it but is so deserving of it.’
Starting on Friday March 3 at 8pm, Dan will be running the first of his four miles, the next at midnight, continuing until 4pm on Sunday 5th March.
‘It will certainly be a challenge – only being able to sleep a couple of hours at a time during the event. I’ll be doing all my runs outside and uploading them to Strava as I go. I’m also hoping to complete each one in under 35 minutes.’
Malaya’s dad Buster, 33, from Portsmouth, who works for the Ministry of Defence said: ‘We’re very grateful to Dan for taking on this challenge for us to help raise money for Malaya’s therapy. The two of them have always got on well and, like all of us, he’s always been impressed by her ‘can do’ attitude. We will we cheering him on and will be very grateful to anyone who can sponsor him.’
Dan is hoping to raise £5,200 – enough to cover Malaya’s physiotherapy for the next year.
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Malaya with healthcare needs and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.
Tree of Hope CEO Gill Gibb said: ‘We wish Dan all the best with his gruelling challenge! It’s great to see that the Rose family have so much support.’
To sponsor Dan and to donate to Malaya’s fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/4Mx4Hrx12 or https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/mighty-malaya-rose/
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