Charity challenge in memory of Elliot (From York Press)
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Charity challenge in memory of Elliot Granger
9:25am Friday 28th September 2012 in News
By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk
Elliot Granger, who died at the age of only eight weeks and whose parents are doing a charity challenge to raise funds and awareness of the rare disease he suffered
THE parents of an “inquisitive and cheeky” baby boy who died at only eight weeks old are completing a mammoth charity challenge to fund research into a cure for the rare disease which claimed his life.
In February this year, Elliot Granger collapsed at home five-and-a-half weeks after he was born, suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, an incurable condition that attacks muscles and nerves.
His parents, Louise, 32, and Simon, 31, spent the next few weeks making sure Elliot’s final moments counted. Now, seven months on, they are doing all they can to raise awareness of the illness.
As part of their mission the couple, along with a group of 12 others, are today finishing the last leg of a 170-mile three-day cycle challenge to raise money for SMA research.
The group of family and friends set of on Wednesday from Morecambe Bay for the Way of the Roses challenge which covers routes across Lancashire and Yorkshire on the National Cycle Network.
The group will finish the challenge in Bridlington today.
Louise said: “It’s been more than seven months now since Elliot passed away and each day we find it hard thinking of all the things he would be doing.
“Elliot’s character really came out when he was in hospital with his inquisitive and cheeky smile.
“After losing Elliot we decided we wanted to do something in memory of Elliot that was a challenge.
“We are raising funds for The SMA Trust who’s objective remains constant to be active and progressive in the search for a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.”
SMA affects about one in every 6,500 babies, with about 100 new cases diagnosed each year in the UK. The motor neurones mainly affected are those which enable walking, crawling, arm and hand movement, head and neck movement, and swallowing.
The team hope to raise as much funds as possible in Elliot’s memory.
To sponsor the team, visit justgiving.com/TeamElliot4SMAT or alternatively donations can be sent by cheque to The SMA Trust, The SMA Trust, Compton Scorpion, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4PJ.
Simon was born in Strensall and is a captain in the Royal Engineers, and he and Louise had lived near York before recently moving to Warrington. Elliot spent his last days at Claire House Children’s Hospice on the Wirral. He died on February 4.
