Half marathon challenge for Laila’s mum

Devoted mum Maya McCormack ran up cash for a charity in her daughter’s memory when she tackled the Ackworth Half Marathon on Sunday.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 120415 - Press - Ackworth Half Marathon - Ackworth, England - Laila Milly's Wendy & Steve Berry with Maya McCormack.Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 120415 - Press - Ackworth Half Marathon - Ackworth, England - Laila Milly's Wendy & Steve Berry with Maya McCormack.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 120415 - Press - Ackworth Half Marathon - Ackworth, England - Laila Milly's Wendy & Steve Berry with Maya McCormack.

Mrs McCormack was raising funds for the Laila Milly Foundation which has a nursery in Hemsworth for children with serious and complex illnesses.

It was set up by Mrs McCormack and her husband Steve when their daughter Laila Milly was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Aicardi syndrome.

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Sadly, the tot died the day before her first birthday but the couple continued with their plans to open the Kirkby Road facility.

Mrs McCormack ran with the chairman of the charity’s trustees, Steve Berry and his wife Wendy.

Mr and Mrs Berry will be running seven half marathons between them this year to help the foundation while Mrs McCormack took part in the race as part of her Challenge Maya initiative - a year of events aimed at raising £1,000.

She said: “I’m doing 12 months of various challenges suggested by family and friends. I’ve already been a vegetarian for a month, which was really tough. It made me realise how much meat I actually eat.

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“This month I am learning how to crochet and I’ve been making little crocheted squares.

“A number of people have signed up and at the end of the month we’re going to put all the squares together to make a blanket to auction off for the foundation. I’ve also signed up for my first - and hopefully last - full marathon later this year.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.lailamillyfoundation.org.uk or call 07791 400245.

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