Mum's 'mito' mission

Glossop mum Katie Jones is fundraising for The Lily Foundation, a small charity supporting families affected by mitochondrial disease, including her 10-year-old son Toby. 

Katie explained: “My little boy Pup (Toby) has mitochondrial disease (mito). Mito is the reason Toby’s brain isn’t formed properly, why he has epilepsy, why he is registered blind and can’t walk or talk. The mitochondrial cells in his body don’t work properly so his body doesn’t get the energy it needs to function as it should. 

“Toby’s condition is life-limiting - there is no cure. I am trying to raise £3,000 for the charity to help fund research, support families with mitochondrial disease and hopefully work towards a cure so another family won’t have to live without hope. 

“The Lily Foundation is so much more than a charity, more than raising awareness and funding research. The Lily Foundation is a family. A family of incredible people that have found themselves in a horrible situation but turn up and support their families and other ‘Lily families’. This is why we want to raise money - to help support other families like ours that are scared about the future.” 

Katie completed the Manchester Marathon last month and will be running the Berlin Marathon. She has also organised two local fundraising events: 

TWILIGHT FLOW & FIZZ 

The first takes place on Sunday 17th May from 3:30pm at the BodyWorks Injury Clinic in Glossop - ‘Twilight Flow & Fizz’, an evening wellness event combining movement, relaxation and social time. Guests will be able to take part in yoga, Pilates and a sound bath meditation session, alongside fresh fruit, smoothies, food and a glass of fizz. 

To book visit: https://goteamup.com/p/7100630-bodyworks/c/schedule? 

FITNESS CHALLENGE 

The second event will take place on Friday 6th June at Strengthn Fitness in Hadfield, where teams will take part in a 60-minute endurance workout to raise funds. For more information email: info@strengthnfitness.co.uk 

Mitochondrial disease is a group of genetic conditions that affect how cells produce energy, impacting organs such as the brain, heart, muscles, liver and eyes, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Because it is so complex, the condition can be difficult to explain in simple terms. 

More information about mitochondrial disease and The Lily Foundation can be found at: www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk 

The Lily Foundation was founded in memory of a baby girl named Lily, who died from mitochondrial disease at just eight months old. The charity provides support for families living with the condition and funds vital research into potential treatments and cures. Every day in the UK, a baby is born who will develop mitochondrial disease - a debilitating and often life-limiting condition. 

To donate and read Toby’s story visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/teampup?