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Brentford Father Runs Marathon For Sick Son

Posted by Lima Curtis on Apr 21, 12 10:56 AM in People

A FATHER of three is raising money for research into a rare and incurable disease.

Matthew Hooper, 42, of Clayton Crescent, Brentford, decided to take on the challenge of the London Marathon after his 19-year-old son was diagnosed with scleroderma, an auto-immune disease that thickens the skin, weakens muscles and damages organs.

The former Gunnersbury school pupil said: "Three years ago we found out my oldest had scleroderma. He has to have regular blood tests and it has certainly affected his life. The disease can lead to deformities but thankfully he has been okay so far."

His son, a former pupil of Isleworth and Syon School, is now reading earth sciences at Royal Holloway University.

Mr Hooper, who has lived in Brentford all his life and runs his own business, said he is overwhelmed by the amount of money he has raised already.

He hopes to raise more than £3,500 and has put collection tins in various places round the borough, including Boston Café, in Boston Manor Road.

"I have been training for six months now," he said. "I am not a natural runner but I have already managed 18 miles. I may have to give myself the day off on the Monday after the run."

● To sponsor Mr Hooper, go to www.justgiving.com/
Matthew-Hooper1. To find out more about scleroderma, go to www.sclerodermasociety.co.uk.

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