Determined Pat completes charity challenge in and around Southam and Leamington despite condition that affects his mobility

A 20-year-old in Leamington has completed his 14-mile charity challenge despite having a condition which affects his mobility.

Pat Smith, who used to live in Southam but recently moved to Leamington, has Neurofibromatosis type 2, known as NF2 which means he has non-cancerous tumours on some of his nerves.

Pat was diagnosed with the condition after his parents noticed he was constantly walking on his tip toes.

Since diagnosis tests showed he has tumours on his spine and on the nerves in his ear and has has many operations and treatments to try and reduce the size of the tumours or treat the symptoms caused by them.

Pat, who is studying business and management at Leamington College, decided to take on the challenge of walking 14 miles over seven days in and around Southam and Leamington.

He started his challenge on Monday (January 25) in Southam and completed it on January 31 in Victoria Park in Leamington.

Pat took on the fundraiser to help raise awareness and funds for Nerve Tumours UK, which has supported him, and also hopes it will raise awareness of the challenges people with physical disabilities face everyday.

He said: "The week was very challenging towards the end I was starting to struggle to get up and move around because of the aches and pains.

"However, reading over the messages, donations and support from everyone gave me the motivation and push I needed to wake up and put my mind to getting the walk completed as best I can.

"I never thought I would make it to the end – I thought I’d given myself too much of a challenge.

"But when I was coming up to the final two days, I pushed really hard to be able to get to the end and when I did I felt so proud.

"I just hope that the story of me completing this challenge will show to others out there that you can achieve more than you may originally think."

Pat initially set a fundraising target of £250 and has now raised more than £6,000.

He said:"It isn’t the money that was a priority for me, I hoped that during the week walk I would be able to spread the message of the daily difficulties which arise when living with a physical disability.

"I want to say thank you to every who has sent messages, donations or shared my fundraiser because with those people I do not think I could’ve completed the challenge.

"My next step is to try and continue with the walking each day (maybe not quite two miles) to keep active and hopefully it will continue to help with my mental health as well.

"I have also been thinking of new ways which I can raise some awareness for my condition as well as other physical conditions but I have not yet started planning or organising anything yet as I want to make sure the next event I do can have more people involved."

To read more about Pat's story or to donate go to: https://nervetumours.org.uk/fundraiser/pats-nf-fundraiser-walkf you or anyone you know is affected by Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Type 2 or Schwannomatosis contact Nerve Tumours UK the National Charity on 02084391234 or go to: www.nervetumours.org.uk