A ROCHFORD car mechanic is taking part in the Great North Run in memory of his brother-in-law who died suddenly from the heart muscle disease cardiomyopathy.
Neil Mortonson, 41, of Stambridge Road, is running the half marathon in Newcastle on Sunday.
His wife Emma’s brother Richard Dahler died in 2001, aged 19, from the disease.
The disease, which affects people of all ages, is the main medical cause of sudden death in young people.
Neil, who has not run seriously for six years, decided to dig out his trainers and raise money for the Cardiomyopathy Association (CMA), a charity that provides information and support to families affected by the disease.
He said: “Richard would have been a mature man now and we are grieving for the life he never had.
“I wanted to do something rather than sitting helpless.Iwant to keep his memory alive and highlight cardiomyopathy and the work the CMA does to help affected families.
“Sadly, cardiomyopathy is not a rare disease. Often, the first sign thatafamily is affected by the disease is when there is a sudden, unexpected death.”
To support Neil’s run and his mission to raise money for the CMA, go to just giving.com/RichardDahler
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