A determined group of adults and children are battling through 30 days of gruelling exercise to raise cash in honour of a very special girl.
#TeamElla are raising money for Ella Dixon’s Muscular Dystrophy UK fund, which has so far raised more than £65,000 in just a few years.
The fund was created by Clare and Craig Dixon, of Kendal, after daughter Ella, 15, was diagnosed as a manifesting carrier of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Every year we have a few people who do the Great North Run, but with the pandemic we couldn’t do that,” said Clare.
“I thought it would be a good way to get a few of us together and we all do a bit of exercise each day and then share a picture online and get some sponsorship.
“I thought maybe 10…but we’ve now ended up with 29 members.”
Fundraisers are completing 30 minutes of exercise every day for the whole of January.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a serious condition which causes the muscles to weaken.
Ella is one of only a few girls to have the condition in the UK. It usually affects boys.
“We’re all pushing ourselves to do something out of our comfort zone,” said Clare.
“It’s really inspiring we’ve all got some sort of ailment, or we’re working or have children.”
Thirty Days Fit is one of many fundraising activities the family have organised.
In the past fundraisers have skydived, raced and baked to raise money for the charity’s vital research into the condition.
Clare has said she has been overwhelmed by the community’s continued support.
“A lot of them have become great friends, they are a part of our family,” she said.
“She is fighting such a hard battle every single day!”
If you would like to donate, visit #TeamElla 30 Workouts in 30 Days page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-dixon16
