Chris Christou, a Potters Bar resident, has registered to participate in the BUPA Great South Run which takes place in Portsmouth on Sunday.
Although this may not seem unusual as there are hundreds of people taking part in the race, the 45-year-old will be competing in an upright position using his powered wheelchair.
Chris has multiple sclerosis, with which he was diagnosed 25 years ago, but wants to raise money so that a cure can be found for the muscle wasting disease. His decision to take part in the race was influenced by his meeting with two boys who both have Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The condition is incurable and progressive, and constant funding is needed for research programmes.
The money which Chris raises during the event will be donated directly to the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. It may also be used to help to pay for treatments which will fight the disease.
Other members of the charity will be taking part in the race and Chris will be competing alongside them in his wheelchair. His personal challenge will be to deal with the pain he will feel due to being in an upright position for so long - with extreme tiredness another potential problem.
The race will take place across Portsmouth and Chris has set up a website to raise money for the cause. Back home in Hertfordshire, printing companies in Potters Bar could be called upon to raise awareness and boost publicity.
