A MAN from a village near Whitchurch will be taking on an ultra-marathon along Hadrian's Wall next month to raise money to help treat his seriously-ill daughter.
James Pryke will 90 miles along the historical Roman remains in just 26 hours alongside close friend Mike Yeomans on Saturday, June 17 for his two-year-old daughter Vega who suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to sit, walk or talk at the moment.
James and his wife Alba, from Marbury, hope to use the money to ensure their daughter can have stem cell therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and a feeding intensive therapy session which will give her more independence.
But they explained the treatment is expensive and requires travel abroad.
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James, who is an inexperienced runner but says he is up for the task, said: "It is a mammoth task, but I am totally up for it.
"My close friend has kindly agreed to train and run with me.
"It is 90 miles and has to be done within 26 hours.
"I have never really run a marathon before so it is quite a challenge."
James explained how the money will benefit the family, adding: "Vega does a lot of physiotherapy. My wife has stopped work and is her full-time carer and is learning how to apply therapy. She is learning from other therapists.
"Adding to that recovery process, we need to get Vega some stem cell treatment and there is some really good stuff out there. Primarily, the funds will go towards that particular type of therapy."
James and Alba also said they are looking at the possibility of Vega receiving treatment abroad.
James said: "I haven't seen anywhere in the UK which does it. Our favoured place is in Arizona in the US.
"You can get this therapy all over the world. We have been doing our research about which ones we think will be best.
"The one in the US does a lot of good things. We have spoke to other families who have been there. And they have seen some great results and that is our favoured place at the moment."
James and Alba explained how they nearly lost Vega at birth after she suffered from a lack of oxygen which led to the cerebral palsy.
James said: "It looked very grim. It was clear that something was seriously wrong. They said there was a high chance she would not make it.
"She has stuck in there and she is a real fighter and has been working really hard to recover.
"And a lot of physicians and therapists have been really impressed with the progress. That is down to her and also my wife working with her."
You can help support James' fundraiser by visiting raise money for Vega's treatment via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamvega23
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