A Keighley fitness trainer will be putting on his running shoes next month to step up the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Matthew McArdle, of Riddlesden, works with people who have the genetic condition, and will take part in the 2013 Great North Run to raise cash for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Mr McArdle, 41, said: “Last year, I did the run with a cystic fibrosis patient who had undergone a double lung transplant only a year before, which saved her life. She was able to finish the run, which was a major milestone for her.
“This year, I’m doing the run in memory of one of my former clients, John Broadbent, who ended up being a very good friend of mine but died earlier this year.
“He was 29 when he died in May. I’d known him for about seven or eight years and he had a fantastic personality. The church was packed at his funeral.”
Mr McArdle explained it was through his connection with Mr Broadbent that he first became involved with helping patients from the Leeds Cystic Fibrosis ward, who include people from all over West Yorkshire.
Mr McArdle offers them physical fitness training to improve the quality of their lives and ensure they are in the best possible shape for any transplant surgery.
“The exercise helps strengthen their respiratory muscles, which makes it easier for them to breathe,” he said. “This prolongs their life and puts them in a better position for having a lung transplant.”
He added next month’s half-marathon challenge will be the fifth time he has competed in the Great North Run.
“I’m really just doing it to complete the run this year,” he said. “I only started training three months ago – my time won’t be amazing, but I should at least finish in under two hours.”
The 2013 Great North Run takes place on September 15. Visit justgiving.com/ matthew-mcardle to sponsor Mr McArdle.
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