Every year, The Nation Radio Cardiff 10K sees numerous inspirational individuals participate in the event as they seek to raise money for kidney disease patients across Wales.
One notable participant is Brian Lewis of Penygraig, who is targeting his fourth consecutive Cardiff 10K having battled kidney disease for over three decades.
A patient at the University Hospital of Wales since 1984, Brian saw his condition suddenly deteriorate towards the end of 2012, and was admitted to hospital with chronic illness that resulted from his kidney functionality dropping to just 11%.
Having undergone extensive treatment, the retired carpenter has become a proactive fundraiser for Kidney Wales as a thank you for the life-changing support that the charity has afforded him over the years.
On the motivating factor behind his participation, Brian said:
“In September 2014 my daughter Kathryn decided to run the 10K to raise money for Kidney Wales to help people with problems like mine.
“On the day she took part I went with my wife, Marian, to support her and realised that some competitors were walking the route, so I decided there and then I would strive to get fit enough to compete in 2015.
“Each of the years I have raised money for Kidney Wales to do my bit and say thank you to all the staff at the University Hospital of Wales for their care over the years. Hopefully I will compete this year if I remain fit enough, my entry is already in!”
Brian’s story is just one of many from the numerous inspirational runners that will be participating in the Nation Radio Cardiff 10K, with 10,000 people set to take to the streets of Cardiff on 2ndSeptember – one runner for every person suffering from kidney disease across Wales.
On the importance of the fundraising capacity of the Cardiff 10K, Kidney Wales CEO Roy J Thomas said:
“The Nation Radio Cardiff 10K is one of the most important activities in our fundraising calendar and will play a valuable role in the work undertaken by the charity.
“All money raised by the event goes a long way to supporting our activities – just £105 could help a young patient and their family attend a social event organised by Kidney Wales to give them a day of normality, whilst £625 could help fund a social worker at the Children’s Kidney Centre to give comfort and support to families as they learn to live and cope with their diagnosis.”
