Inverarity Morton’s Finance Director Takes on London Marathon to Support Children’s Liver Disease Foundation
Stephen Gaw Runs London Marathon for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation
Inverarity Morton’s Finance Director, Stephen Gaw, is set to run his first marathon this weekend in London. The forty-year-old father of two from Milngavie is taking on this daunting challenge to raise funds for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), a charity that is close to his heart.
Stephen’s daughter, Lily, was diagnosed with portal hypertension and oesophageal varices in 2013. She had to undergo a liver transplant in 2014 at just 14 months old, which was donated by her mother, Lianne. Lily developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), which meant a long stay at one of the UK’s specialist centres for treating paediatric liver patients, Leeds General Infirmary. Throughout this tough time, CLDF provided invaluable support to the family, in various forms, from leaflets explaining complicated issues in simplistic terms to comforting chats.
Stephen was inspired to give back to the charity, which is why he became a trustee. The London Marathon is a significant challenge for Stephen, who had never run further than a half marathon. However, the memories of the weeks spent in hospital with his daughter and wife, undergoing major surgery to save Lily’s life, motivate him to take on this challenge.
Stephen’s brother and sister have both run marathons, and he didn’t want to be left behind. While the training regime has been challenging, Stephen is almost at the point of looking forward to the event, knowing that he has trained to the best of his ability. His target was to raise £2,000 for CLDF, which he has already surpassed.
Rebecca Cooper, Chief Executive of CLDF, praised Stephen for his dedication and thanked him for taking on this challenge to raise funds for the charity. CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases by providing information and emotional support, funds for research, and a voice for all those affected.
You can support Stephen’s fundraising efforts by visiting the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation’s website or by clicking the following link and you can follow the event live on the BBC on Sunday 23rd April