A 13-year-old girl from Betley, who was born with a rare liver disease and received a transplant as a baby, will be taking on a four-day coast-to-coast cycle ride this weekend to raise funds to help other children affected.
Imogen was just nine weeks old when she was diagnosed with the rare and life-threatening liver disease, biliary atresia. After five months on the transplant list, it became clear that urgent action was needed and her life was saved when her mum, Charlotte, donated half of her liver when Imogen was just a year old. Now an active and sporty teenager, she is keen to give something back to Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), who have provided her parents with information and support ever since her diagnosis.
Imogen was born with biliary atresia.
“Apart from blood tests every three months and a hospital check-up once a year, I live a normal and very active life,” says Imogen. “But I know that’s not the case everyone who is born with a liver disease. I’ve seen my dad take on fundraising challenges for CLDF and I also want to do something for other young people in my situation.
“I love cycling and thought that a coast-to-coast ride would be a great way of raising money.”
So this Friday May 2, Imogen, accompanied by her dad, Seb Daly, will be setting off from Cleethorpes and is planning to arrive in Hoylake on Monday May 5. The pair are hoping that, as well as raising much needed funds, their challenge will highlight the value of organ donation.
“Imogen is a wonderful example of what organ donation really means,” says Seb. “And we’d like to think this challenge could encourage people to make their organ donation wishes known to their loved ones.”
Imogen was only a year old when she received a part of her mum’s liver.
“Many people don’t realise that liver disease is something which affects babies and children,” says Michelle Wilkins, Head of Children’s and Families Services at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, which has now merged with the British Liver Trust to bring children’s and adult liver support services together. “But every year in the UK, around 400 children are diagnosed with a condition for which there is still no cure. A diagnosis means a lifetime of medical care and the effect on families is devastating.
“We provide those young people and their families with information, emotional support and a united voice. So it’s wonderful that Imogen and Seb want to support us in this way. And seeing Imogen able to take on this challenge will give real hope to many of the families we support. We wish them both the very best of luck.”
You can support Imogen’s Coast to Coast cycle challenge at Sebastian Daly is fundraising for British Liver Trust
