Marathon effort for Cameron

The mother of Burnside boy Cameron Lindsay has issued a heartfelt thanks to fundraisers whose marathon effort raised an estimated £3,500.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th May 2015, 07:00 BST
Fancy dress fundraiser: Cameron's parents Johnny and Natasha Lindsay with Mayor Thomas Hogg. INCT 19-409-RMFancy dress fundraiser: Cameron's parents Johnny and Natasha Lindsay with Mayor Thomas Hogg. INCT 19-409-RM
Fancy dress fundraiser: Cameron's parents Johnny and Natasha Lindsay with Mayor Thomas Hogg. INCT 19-409-RM

The money will be used to fund treatment in the USA for 12-year-old Cameron, who suffers from rare neurological condition Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).

On Saturday, May 9, a fundraising full marathon, half marathon and 10k run opened by Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Thomas Hogg set off from Greenisland Golf Club.

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The events were organised by East Antrim Marathon Series and Cameron’s PANDAS Fund.

Natasha, who attended the fancy-dress event in costume as Cruella Deville, said there was a “great atmosphere” on the day.

She told the Times: “We had 160 runners on the day and a couple of hundred supporters.

“Everybody got into the spirit of the event in either Chelsea blue, which is Cameron’s team, or in fancy dress. We had characters including Prince Charming, Cinderella, Snow White and The Incredible Hulk.”

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Natasha says she was particularly touched at the support she received from the community. She continued: “I met a lot of people who have been following our story on Facebook and via the blog and website. It’s great to raise awareness of this condition.

“It was overwhelming to see so many people supporting our family and coming up to shake our hands and say how pleased they were to fundraise for Cameron. It was amazing and shows there is still a lot of good in the world.”

On the day, the family raised around £2,500-£3,000 through donations, and Natasha estimates that sponsorship money will bring in an additional £600-£700. Combined with the £16,603 donated on Cameron’s GoFundMe page, this could bring the total amount raised in the three months since the appeal was launched to over £20,000.

Natasha concluded: “We feel humbled at the support we have had - a massive thank you to everybody who has donated.”

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A gala fundraising evening with James Huish will be held at The Theatre at The Mill, Mossley Mill on June 26.

Anyone who would like to donate to Cameron’s PANDAS fund can do so online at www.gofundme.com/o9lrao.

• See more pictures in next week’s Times (May 21 edition)

• For related story and video click here.

Related topics:USA