Brothers to start this year’s Cambridge Town and Gown
When Concetta de Martino is not teaching PE at the Castle Special School, Cambridge, she spends huge amounts of her time with grandsons Leo, 11, and Quinn, 7.
Both boys have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Concetta is constantly organising fun activities or getting involved in fundraising.
Now the brothers are to help with a fundraising event themselves when they fire the gun to start this year’s Newton Cambridge Town and Gown run, which raises money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, on Sunday, October 20.
Concetta will be with the two boys as hundreds of runners line up for the 10k race in the centre of Cambridge, which is supported by the Cambridge Independent again this year.
Earlier this year, Concetta, 55, took on the London Marathon to fundraise for Muscular Dystrophy UK, which she says has supported her family in many ways: “They bring individuals, families and professionals together to beat muscle-wasting conditions.”
Concetta added: “Leo is in a wheelchair and Quinn is beginning to struggle on his feet and uses a buggy when he gets too tired.
"My family has to be strong and fun – laughter plays a great part in that strength.
"Leo is in mainstream education, whereas Quinn attends the special school where I work, so I get to see him every day.
"I am always fundraising for DMD. I have organised a quiz, a mixed netball tournament, various cake stalls and raffles and I have cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats.”
Concetta recalled that the first signs of DMD were spotted by Leo’s class teacher who knew about the condition.
“Once I Googled DMD, I knew Leo had it,” she said.
“He had all the listed symptoms. I never imagined this would happen to my grandchildren – it was a massive shock.
“I had to take time off work to be there for my family and to try to come to some understanding in my head.”
She said that mental strain on the family is huge: “I have great sadness when I see the pain in my son’s eyes.”
Muscular Dystrophy UK’s race manager Jessie Keighley said: “We will be absolutely delighted to have Leo and Quinn with us to start this, the eighth annual Newton Town and Gown.
“We feel proud that Concetta has chosen to rise to the challenge of Muscular Dystrophy UK, and to help us improve the lives of thousands of families living with muscle-wasting conditions.”
Sign up at townandgown10k.com/cambridge/.
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