Police officer helps step-brothers with endurance events

A POLICE officer has taken part in five gruelling charity events in just four months, to raise money for two step-brothers who suffer from the same rare muscle wasting condition.

Pc Paul Brown has doing his bit for Ben Stewart and Cameron McKenzie. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Paul Brown, a CID officer in Livingston, has been raising funds for Cameron McKenzie and Ben Stewart – who are just nine and ten years old and suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The rare condition means the youngsters, from Stoneyburn, struggle to keep up with their friends due to their muscle weakness and within just a few years will be unable to walk.

Paul, 35, from Armadale, said late last year he had been searching for a reason to 
fundraise and when he was introduced to the boys through a mutual friend he knew immediately they were who he wanted to help.

Since June, Paul has participated in the Strathearn Marathon, Kinlock Rannoch Marathon, River Ayr Way Ultra Marathon, the Great Scottish Swim and most recently the Jedburgh Three Peaks Ultra-Marathon at the weekend.

He has already raised £540 but hopes to add to his grand total by the end of this week.

Paul said the ultra-marathon which he participated in on Saturday has been the hardest run he has ever done but “every minute was worth it.”

He said: “Saturday’s ultra-marathon was 38 miles and it is was really hilly - I was absolutely exhausted afterwards.

“It took me just under eight hours to complete.

“It was a really long day and the weather was horrendous at the beginning but every minute was worth it.” Paul, who hadn’t run for several years before his most recent ventures, said he has been training constantly since the start of the year.

He added: “The reason I chose to fundraise for the boys was because they touched my heart.

“It is sad that they are not expected to live beyond their teenage years and they have made a bucket list of things to do while they are still able. I want to make as many of these wishes come true as I can.”

Cameron and Ben have recently ticked one of the first things off of their bucket list after recently returning from a trip to Australia with their parents Sheryl and Alan, and their two sisters – but there are still a variety of other places they hope to visit.

Their mum, Sheryl, said: “It’s amazing what Paul is doing, it’s hard enough to run one marathon never mind everything else.

“We are so grateful for his generosity.”