Long Sutton mother completes London Marathon in aid of RNIB to raise funds for registered blind teenage son and campaign for free revolutionary medication
A runner has shown that anything is possible as she completed the London Marathon for the first time.
The Long Sutton mother-of-three is campaigning for revolutionary drug Idebenone to be available for free in England as it is in the rest of the UK to help her son Jacob, 19, who suddenly went blind due to Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.
Kimberley Ely was among 50,000 runners who pounded through the capital’s streets on Sunday and she raised £1,500 for RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People).
Mrs Ely, 42, said: “It was an incredible atmosphere and I am happy to have completed it in six hours and 51 minutes.
“My daughter Stephanie said it has shown her that anything is possible and to never say never.
“I did a combination of walking and running and my legs ache so I intend to go for a sports massage.”
This medication could help restore Jacob’s eyesight - which potentially would mean he could drive again as currently motorcycle enthusiast Jacob is no longer able to ride his bike.
Mrs Ely is calling on NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) to end this unfair situation later this year and wants to raise awareness for her son’s situation to help other families.
She said: “It would make a big difference to so many if medication was available in England and raise awareness and support of the RNIB.
“Jacob is 19 and he just gets on with it.
“It is amazing how supportive people are.”
Husband James and Jacob provided well earned hugs on her marathon route which helped with motivation.
She said: “They hugged me twice on the route and it was such a lift.
“They are really proud and I was given my medal when I finished.”
Further fundraising donations are coming in to add to the total visit https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/kimberley-ely for further information.
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