Luton man's marathon challenge to raise funds to take severely disabled cousin on holiday

A man from Luton is preparing to run a marathon next month to raise money to take his severely disabled cousin on holiday.

Aiden Patsalides, of Hart Lane, will be taking on the 26.2mile challenge on December 6, he hopes to raise £12,000 so his younger cousin, Imogen, and her family can go on holiday.

The 19-year-old, who also lives in Luton, has Prader Willi syndrome and severe autism, she also has a condition called Cataplexy and severe Scoliosis.

Aiden said: "I am in awe of this young lady as she faces so many challenges day to day.

"She really has changed all our lives. I feel so privileged to have such a beautiful inspiration in our family.

"Imogen is now 19 and has faced more challenges in her life then any of us could imagine.

"Over the next year or two, Imogen will be facing the most challenging of operations that she’s had so far.

"Imogen has never been abroad before and with her condition it is very unclear what the future holds for her.

"I would like Imogen and her family to experience a holiday of their lifetime which will need to be somewhere that will meet all her medical requirements.

"She loves water and the pool, I would love to be able to give them a holiday abroad.

"As a family, they would need a villa that has access for wheelchairs, they would need to be close to a doctor and they would have to take at least two carers with them.

"We've worked it out and I've set a target of £12,000."

Aiden started training for this marathon about ten weeks ago and has been running every week, with the support of his family on many of the runs.

He said: "I decided about ten weeks that this is what I wanted to do to raise money for Imogen and the family.

"I downloaded an app and it said the training is about 18 to 20 weeks, so I already started behind.

"As a family we have spoken about this before and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try and raise some money.

"I have been doing lots of runs and big runs on a Sunday, I'm currently up to 31KM, a marathon is 42KM.

"My brother and daughters have been cycling alongside me and my family have all been really supportive.

"It looks like the marathon in West Sussex will be cancelled so we are planning to do it around Luton instead on December 6, and hopefully Imogen can be at the finish line at Wardown Park."

To support Aiden in his challenge to raise £12,000 visit: uk.gofundme.com/f/help-aiden-send-his-cousin-on-her-dream-holiday.