Cycling for cystic fibrosis

The annual sponsored cycle ride is organised by RT Autoparts in Cookstown. This year, the ride will raise thousands of pounds for four nominated local charities of which one is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The cyclists’ journey will also link two young girls with cystic fibrosis, who will both benefit from the fundraising.

Mia Allen of Cookstown and Mairi Clements of Portrush were both born on 26 June 2007, in adjoining beds in Antrim Hospital.

Both were diagnosed in the first weeks of their lives with cystic fibrosis, one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases. Ironically, although the girls’ parents have since become friends, Mia and Mairi may never meet: children with cystic fibrosis are at such risk of infection that they are not encouraged to socialise together.

Mary Allen, Mia’s mother, said: “Mia looks like a completely healthy two year old, and is due to start nursery in September. However, just to stay well she has to have a strict daily routine of nebulised drugs, physiotherapy, antibiotics, specialised vitamin supplements and digestive enzymes.

“She is no more susceptible to childhood illnesses than any other child but the consequences are much more serious - contracting flu or a chest infection would probably mean a stay in hospital.”

Mairi’s mother, Annika Clements, added: “Cystic fibrosis is an invisible disability. For us as a family it is the unknown which can keep us awake at night, and which we avoid thinking about.

“The disease is progressive but how it progresses varies so much between individuals and is hard for doctors to predict. Instead we focus on the present, and try to let her be a completely normal two year old, with all the joys that brings.”

Around 1 in 20 people in Northern Ireland is a carrier of cystic fibrosis, which is caused by a single defective gene. The disease affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, which become clogged with thick sticky mucus, resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food.

About 400 people in Northern Ireland have cystic fibrosis - 200 of these are under 18. Five babies a week in the UK are born with cystic fibrosis and three young people die – 90 per cent from lung damage.

There is still time to enter by getting a sponsor card from RT Autoparts in Cookstown tel 028 867 65055.

To make a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, or to find out more about cystic fibrosis, visit http://www.cftrust.org.uk/