Charity triathlon cancelled as sick Luke takes priority

8:30pm Monday 17th March 2008

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A TRIATHLON to raise money for a Hampshire charity has been postponed from next month to September.

The XLP Research Trust, which was set up by David and Allison Hartley after their four boys were diagnosed with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, is staging its second fundraising triathlon.

The event was due to take place in Romsey in April, but will now be held on September 28.

David said the date has been changed because his priority of looking after youngest son Luke, pictured, who has recently returned home after a bone marrow transplant, has prevented him from organising the event.

Teams of three are invited to enter the challenge, which will include a 3.5-mile run, a 16-mile bike ride and a 0.5-mile swim.

The triathlon was staged for the first time last year and raised £36,000.

The Hartley boys were all diagnosed with XLP in November 2003.

The condition left them with no immunity against illnesses such as cancer of the blood and glandular fever and doctors warned that, without bone marrow transplants, the boys were unlikely to live into their teens.

All four boys - Joshua, 16, Nathan, 14, Daniel, 12, and eight-year-old Luke - have now had successful bone marrow transplants.

Luke will remain in semi-isolation at home until his immune system is back to full strength.

To enter the triathlon visit xlpresearchtrust.org or call 01794 521077.