Elliot Birtwistle's Running Challenge

Linear's Running Man

Linear's Elliot Birtwistle is taking on a series of running challenges across 2024 in an attempt to raise as much as possible for the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS)

In February 2021 Elliot's son Timothy was born with Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF) & Oesophageal Atresia (OA). After a couple of months in hospital, they found out on discharge day that Timothy was deaf, later diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) & profoundly deaf. Timothy was implanted with cochlear implants in September 2022.

Elliot's family has been fortunate to have two amazing charities support them; in this instance it being the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS). Like many, he's been motivated to make sure he does something in return, given charities like these wouldn’t be able to support effectively without donations and awareness.

Whilst vastly improved, deaf children are still facing an uphill battle in society and there is long way to go to provide equal opportunity.  As a hearing family, they needed the NDCS to help educate and provide a platform where they can relate to families in a similar situation.

Elliot couldn’t run 1km last summer and has always hated running and any long-distance events in fact, but seeing what great work charities do when you need them most has given him the inspiration to get fit and raise funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society. He's partaking in several running events this year to raise funds and continued awareness, starting from a 10k through to a marathon:

Quayside 10K - Jan 24 
Northumberland trail 10K - Feb 24 
Gateshead half marathon - May 24
Bamburgh 10k - June 24
Great North 10K - July 24
Great North Run - September 24
Jarrow 10k - October 24
Yorkshire Marathon - October 24

And just to reiterate, Elliot HATES running so any donations would be very much appreciated. You can donate on his fundraising page below:

National Deaf Children's Society: elliot's page (enthuse.com)