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Running in memory of my wife and to help others

Chris Hooper has taken part in the Cambridge 10k several times before and on Sunday 6 October, he is running once again. He supports us, and the event, in memory of his wife Donna who lived with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and died in 2008 aged 29. Chris explains why it’s important to him to do this in Donna’s memory and help others living with a muscle wasting and weakening condition.

I took up running in 2009, shortly after Donna died. I signed up for various events up to half marathons for a range of charities associated with Donna. She lived with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affected the function of her nerves, leading to muscle weakness. I live in Cambridge so there was no question that I would take part in the Bidwells Cambridge 10k for Muscular Dystrophy UK. I saw the difference the charity made to Donna and other people she knew living with a muscle wasting condition, and I hope that by running the 10k every year, I can help others to receive the same support.

Donna was four years’ old when she was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and died aged 29. The timing of the Cambridge 10k is particularly poignant as it takes place each year around the anniversary of her death (12 October). So, it seems fitting that I do this for Donna, in her memory.

“Donna always lived life to the full and never let her condition define her. If I can support Muscular Dystrophy UK so that they can help others to fulfil their potential, then I think she’d be proud.”

Chris Hooper

Donna and I met in 1999 and married five years later. People often say that they live life to the full, but this was genuinely true of Donna. She had a profound impact on everyone she met and, despite needing an electric wheelchair and mobile ventilation via a tracheotomy, she never let her disability define her. She organised for us to go to Florida twice on holiday, project managed the adaptions to our bungalow and managed her own business making greetings cards. She was a real force of nature!

Maintaining her independence was important to Donna as well as giving back to others. Through her frequent stays at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, Donna made friends with several people living with different muscle wasting conditions. One lad, Nick, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, ran a wheelchair football club for disabled youngsters. He died shortly after Donna, but I was always inspired by the way they both approached life. I think the support they got from Muscular Dystrophy UK allowed them to live life to the full, so I now run the Cambridge 10k for the charity every year so they can continue to help others.

Inspired by Chris' story?

Our route takes you through the closed roads of Cambridge city centre, along the river Cam and onto Midsummer Common. You’ll run past many beautiful and historic landmarks and university buildings, with marshalling and clear signage throughout.

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