THE FATHER of a disabled child will run in the Reading Half Marathon to raise funds for Camp Mohawk.
It’s his first half marathon – indeed his first ever competitive event – showing how passionately he feels about supporting the charity.
Mark Gawthrop and his wife Sarah grew up in Wokingham and now live with their two daughters, Sophie, 8 and Emily, 6 in Maidenhead.
Emily has a condition called SYNGAP1 Syndrome, a genetic mutation which has caused epilepsy and autism.
It’s extremely rare with only 1500 cases identified worldwide.
Along with SYNGAP1, Emily also has Type 1 Diabetes – a unique combination her family has yet to find in anyone else in the world.
Because of her condition, the family manages daily challenges of keeping her safe at all times due to the unpredictability of her seizures, which can’t be controlled by medication, supporting her behaviour challenges, and helping her to communicate and learn.
Since her type 1 diabetes diagnosis they also moniter her diet and blood sugar levels.
The challenges make it very difficult for the family to leave the house together.
Sarah said in a recent film about the charity: “I can’t take my girls to a regular playground.
“If it’s a tricky day it’s not safe for Emily, and then Sophie misses out.
“But at Camp Mohawk I can ask for help if I need it, and there are people there to support us.”
She says the charity has changed the family’s lives.
“Two years ago, Emily was having epic meltdowns and it was tricky to get her out of the house to go anywhere,” she said.
“But the first day we came to Camp Mohawk, it just felt like they were a family, there for us.
“I remember vividly one of the managers getting down to Sophie’s level, and telling her this place was for her to enjoy,too, and not just her younger sister – it was amazing.”
Camp Mohawk supports families with a child – or in many cases – children with special needs.
More than 700 families use the charity’s services.
Altogether, with groups from special schools, respite services and care facilities, Camp Mohawk welcomes more than 17,000 visitors to its centre each year.
The five acre woodland area near Wargrave offers children safe, stimulating and fun activities within a natural environment they’re often unable to access.
Mark has so far raised nearly £1,000 for his Reading Half Marathon run, on Sunday, March 23 for Camp Mohawk.
To support him, people can visit: justgiving.com/page/markformohawk
For more information they can log onto: campmohawk.org.uk and readinghalfmarathon.com
