GOLDENHEART Joe Griffiths pictured here with Ryan and big sister Kimberley. (Ref. 78/33).

WHEN Joe Griffiths lines up for the start of the London Marathon in April he will have another very special target in mind other than his finishing time.

For Joe, from Charnwood Street in Parr, will be pounding the streets of the capital to raise money for little Ryan Hull who suffers from cerebral palsy and a severe form of epilepsy.

Nineteen-months-old Ryan, who lives with his mum and dad Janet and Chris, sister Kimberley (11) and four-months-old brother Callum in Hinckley Road, Blackbrook, has spent much of his short life in hospital.

And when Joe, whose own son Jonathon is well known to Star readers as the talented winner of our last year's Starlad competition, heard about the youngster's plight he readily offered to help out.

Ryan's mum Janet told the Star: "It is a full-time job looking after Ryan especially at the moment as he has been quite poorly since Christmas with his epilepsy. The first year of his life was spent mainly in hospitals and even though he is at home now, we have visits from nurses every day to make sure he is still OK. He also takes a lot of medication including various different types of steroids.

"But there is a lot of equipment which we need to make Ryan's life a little easier. He attends a light sensory room which doctors have recommended for him and we could use money to buy some fibre optic lights for his own room but the cheapest of these are £400. We will also be needing something to help us move him around, particularly up and down stairs soon as he is very big for his age, almost 104cm tall."

She added: "Joe is actually a relative by marriage - his sister is married to my husband's brother - but even though I know he has raised money for other causes before, I didn't like asking him if he would help us. But as soon as he realised that we needed the equipment, he immediately offered to help and we are really grateful."

Joe is now in training for the marathon and is hoping local firms or individuals will sponsor him.

He said: "I was happy to help out when I heard about Ryan and running the London Marathon seemed like a good way of raising money. I am now trying to get as much sponsorship as possible and I am especially grateful to my own firm, Burtonwood Brewery, who have already offered to help."

IF you would like to sponsor Joe you can contact him on 01925 225131.

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