A County Durham mum has raised thousands of pounds by running a marathon as part of a campaign to improve the lives of children with Tourette Syndrome.
Louise Hodkinson was given a rapturous reception when she arrived in her hometown of Crook after running from Gateshead and raising more than £3,000 for the Tourettes Action charity.
“There was a great crowd waiting at Crook, family and friends joining me on the way, and cars beeping – it was amazing,” said Louise, who works in children’s and young people’s services at Durham County Council.
Louise is fighting to end the “postcode lottery” of care for children with Tourette Syndrome after her “stressful and deeply frustrating” experience in striving to get help for her nine-year-old daughter, Freya.
Freya was finally diagnosed with the neurological condition after a lengthy and distressing process for Louise and her husband, Steven McTaggart, known as “Tag”.
However, the postcode lottery means there is no NHS therapy available for under-12s in the North East.
Family and friends supported Louise during the marathon, which was completed in four hours and 32 minutes. They included “Tag” running an eight-mile section, and her brother-in-law Dan Wilson, and cousin, Dawn Brown, running three miles.
Ava Acaster, a reception teacher at Freya’s “hugely supportive” school, Hartside Primary Academy, also ran three miles.
Louise’s friend, Ashleigh Gilchrist ran four miles, and her children Annabelle and Henry joined in for three miles.
Louise’s dad, Loui, ran for about two miles up the punishing Helmington Row bank, near Crook. “We’ve named the bank ‘Tic Hill’ because we’re determined not to let Freya’s tics beat us,” said Louise. “It’s an uphill fight but we’ll get there.”
“Tag’s” dad, John, cycled behind Louise for 15 miles, carrying her water and snacks and keeping her safe.
Freya and her friends, Indie and Henry, ran the last mile, before they were joined for the finish by Freya’s sister, Gracie, and Louise’s sister, Claire.
The crowd at the finish included Bishop Auckland MP, Sam Rushworth, who is supporting Louise’s campaign, and is arranging for the family to visit Parliament as part of the campaign.
- To support Louise, go to justgiving.com and search for Little Lou's Big Run.
“The first 18 miles weren’t too bad but after that it comes down to mental strength. I’ve got a bit of back pain now, but it was all worth it,” said Louise.
“The reception was unbelievable – I’ll never forget it as long as I live. But even though the marathon’s done, there’s still a long way to go to get the right support for Freya and other families. I won’t rest until we get the right pathway and Tourette Syndrome is taken seriously by the NHS.”
The total money raised by Louise is still being calculated. A “Stay and Play” event at Hartside Primary Academy contributed around £1,000, with a host of Crook businesses making donations and giving raffle prizes.
Louise and her family are now supporting the “Move For Tourette’s” initiative, launched by Tourettes Action for Tourette’s Awareness Month during May.
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