A ST HELENS man is preparing to run the race of his life to help raise money for disabled youngsters - despite suffering from a potentially crippling condition himself.

Greg Walsh (22) from Glover Street, is in training for the London Marathon which takes place in April and all the money he makes in sponsorship will be donated to 'Get Kids Going, a charity dedicated to providing disabled children with sports and general wheelchairs.

Former Sutton High pupil, Greg said: "I have always been into sport and used to train in the gym for more than three hours every day. But when I was 15, I found out I had Schumenn's Disease, which causes arthritis in the spine and I had to cut most of the exercise out after that.

"When I heard about 'Get Kids Going', and the work they do to help disabled children to compete in sport, I really wanted to help them out.

"The children desperately need wheelchairs to get about and compete in sports such as marathons. The average cost of a child's trike is £600 and a sports wheelchair is £2,000 so I'm hoping to raise as much as I can."

The London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 18 and anyone wishing to sponsor Greg can contact him on 07977 726579.

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