Boy takes on triathlon for pal with muscle-wasting disease

A BOY from Henley raised £740 for a muscular dystrophy charity after being inspired by a fellow pupil with the condition.

Max Mortimer, nine, completed the bronze level UK Triathlon at Gillotts School in support of his school friend Ben Clarke, 10, who lives with Duchenne, a progressive muscle-wasting disease.

The two boys attend Trinity Primary School in Vicarage Road together and are two years apart.

After hearing Ben’s father Alex deliver a presentation on his son’s condition in a school assembly, Max decided to take on the challenge for Duchenne UK, a charity that funds research into the disease for which there is currently no cure.

Max, who lives in Henley with his parents, Rob and Christine, and eight-year-old sister Nieve. described himself as sports-mad.

He completed a 50km swim, 3km cycle ride and 1,500m run in 24 minutes and 38 seconds and managed a sprint finish.

He said: “The swim was very quick as it was only two lengths. The hardest bit was the run because after the really hard cycle, it was a bit difficult.

“I cycle sometimes but really only when I’m practising for things like this. Last year when I did this I did lots of cycling with my granddad. I went to his house every Wednesday and he took me to the Gillotts field to practise. This year I didn’t do as much.”

He was helped to transition between the different disciplines by his mother, who is a learning support teacher at his school.

Mrs Mortimer said: “It was very hectic as there were hundreds of people.

“The transitions were the nerve-racking bit. Coming out of the swimming pool he had to quickly try to put his shorts and trainers on.

“Then there was a little run from the pool to the bikes and I was trying to chase him — I was worn out.”

Max’s fundraising efforts will be put towards his Mayor of Henley Award, which he is completing with his school.

To achieve the award, children are required to document a new skill they are developing and do something positive for the
community.

Mrs Mortimer said: “For the local community bit, we thought it would be really nice to do it for Ben.

“Everybody at school knows Ben as he’s a bit of a character and we know his little brother from after-school club as well. We know their family quite well and they are lovely.

“We started off the target at £400 and Alex, Ben’s dad, saw what Max was doing and upped the total to £700 and we were like, ‘We’re never going to make that’ but we did.”

Max said: “I thought we were going to make £200.”

Outside school, sport is his favourite hobby. “I do it like ten times a week,” he said.

Max’s favourite sports are tennis and football and he is a member of AFC Henley.

Mrs Mortimer said: “Max lives for sports. If we’re not doing some kind of sport in a day, it has not been a good day. He takes part in a lot of cross-country runs. A natural sort of thing just kicks in when he’s running and he just kind of gets it.”

Mr Clarke said: “From an awareness point of view, it’s incredbile what Max has done.

“We were really touched that he thought of Ben and Duchenne when considering his Mayor’s Award and for us to be able to help him complete it is an honour.

“It speaks volumes of the type of character he is. Everyone needs a friend like Max.

“For Ben just more people being aware of his condition makes him feels a bit more normal.

“It’s a horrible disease and over time it will rob him of the ability to walk and be independent.

“Raising awareness is really vital and I know that Ben is grateful to Max.”

Mr Clarke described his son as incredibly cheeky with a wonderful sense of humour.

He said: “Ben is probably one of the kindest children I know but I may be a bit biased. He will always look out for others even when he may be struggling himself.

“As much as he would love to do a triathlon he can’t, so it’s really admirable that Max has decided to do this for Duchenne.”