Determined Mum Takes on Great North Run for Charity Close to Her Heart

Strategic Insights -

Jayne Headland, a 39-year-old NHS worker from Teesside, will participate in the Great North Run to support the Heel and Toe charity, which provides therapies to children with disabilities. Her own daughter, Paige, has been benefiting from the charity's services due to her rare genetic disorder, CTNNB1 syndrome. Jayne will donate the first £200 of the money she raises to Heel and Toe, with the rest going towards supporting Paige's ongoing therapy. Through her determination, Jayne aims to raise awareness about her daughter's condition and the charity's life-changing work.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jayne's daughter, Paige, has a rare genetic disorder called CTNNB1 syndrome, which affects her muscles and movement.
  • Paige is currently unable to walk due to the impact of the condition on her muscles, but is making progress after double hip surgery.
  • Heel and Toe charity provides therapies to children with disabilities, including physio on horseback, which has helped Paige's movement and muscle relaxation.
  • Jayne is running in the Great North Run to support Heel and Toe and raise awareness about her daughter's condition.
  • Jayne has gone from doing 1,000 steps a day to running miles on roads and country paths, thanks to her training with the Sisters are Doing It Facebook page.
  • Jayne will donate the first £200 of her fundraising goal to Heel and Toe, with the rest going towards supporting Paige's ongoing therapy.
  • Heel and Toe charity is running a competition to win a place in the Great North Run, which Jayne won by entering as a joke.
  • Jayne is determined to run as much of the Great North Run as she can and do her best, making it a "tick off her bucket list" before reaching 40.
  • Paige is currently enrolled in a clinical study in Spain and is being considered for gene therapy.

Statistics:

  • Paige has a rare genetic disorder called CTNNB1 syndrome, which affects fewer than 500 people globally.
  • The condition was only discovered in 2012 and currently, only supportive care is available.
  • Jayne has trained from 1,000 steps a day to running miles on roads and country paths.
  • The Great North Run is a 13.1-mile event that takes place annually in Newcastle, UK.

Sources:

  • [1] Various interviews with Jayne Headland
  • [2] Heel and Toe charity website and social media
  • [3] "CTNNB1 syndrome" Wikipedia page (as reference for the rare condition)