A MUM and daughter are taking on a huge running challenge to support a teenager who has a rare genetic condition.

Abby Bland, 30, from Kendal, and Gillian Bland, who is 51 and from Holme, are raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity that supports Kendal teen Ella Dixon-who is a manifesting carrier of Duchenne muscular dystrophy- and her family via the TeamElla family fund by running a half marathon every month this year.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects males but can also affect females. Duchenne causes the muscles in the body to become weak and damaged over time and can be fatal.  

Ella’s mum Clare Dixon works with Abby as a receptionist at her nail and tanning salon, Basetan, in Kendal.    

Abby and Gillian will take on the Lakeland50 ultra trail challenge at the end of July and the Great North Run in September.  

The Westmorland Gazette: RUNNING: Gillian and Abby take a breather while running in the Lake District RUNNING: Gillian and Abby take a breather while running in the Lake District 

Abby said: “We’ve both run the Great North Run separately before, so we felt we needed to up the challenge to encourage even more fundraising – so why not take on a half marathon every month? 

“We’re so excited about the Great North Run, but we know we’ll be nervous on the day. I am quite competitive so will be aiming to beat last year’s time of 1 hour and 48 minutes. Mum is still aiming to finish a half marathon under two hours. She's managed 2 hours and 3 seconds in training – which is very close!” 

Ella’s mum Clare said: “Abby and Gillian are great friends and when they signed up to do the Great North Run this year, we were so proud they had decided to do that for us. That’s not to mention all the half marathons they are doing every month throughout the year. We know they are putting their all into the running and fundraising.”

Abby began running in 2017, and roped her mum, a pub worker, in to give her some “moral support”.  

She said: “I wanted to shed some weight and running was something I could fit in around being a new mum and running a small business. Mum had done a lot of running when she was in her 30s and took on the London Marathon in 2000, but having a young family and working meant she gave it up.  

The Westmorland Gazette:  PREPARING: Gillian and Abby out on one of their half marathon-length monthly runs PREPARING: Gillian and Abby out on one of their half marathon-length monthly runs

“Together, we first ran a mile from mum’s front door, had a rest, and asked ourselves what on earth we were doing before running back home.  

“That’s how it started – and we kept it up. I had a pram that I could run with so I’d take my daughter Mya, and the dog, Marnie. It didn’t take long until we caught the running bug. Running didn’t just help us physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

“We think Muscular Dystrophy UK is a great charity and the support it gives to Ella and her family is amazing. The work that it does to support lots of families in the UK is so important.” 

People can sponsor at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abby-gillian-halfmarathonyear