CENTURIONS Gregg McNally and Martyn Ridyard are set to take on a challenge of running four miles, every four hours in 72 hours none stop for two causes close to their hearts.

Gregg’s wife Rosey, 29, has avascular necrosis (AVN) – a condition which kills bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply – and currently needs her hip and two knees replaced.

The NHS will not carry out these surgeries until she is 35, but she can get these surgeries done privately.

So she has done a lot since her diagnosis two years ago to raise awareness of the rare disease and raise funds for her treatments.

Mum-of-two Rosey, who has already had one hip replaced, said: “The NHS say I’m too young, but I’m in pain now and I want to be there for my kids now so we as a family decided getting surgery sooner rather than later was important.”

Gregg has done lots of events in the past to raise money for Rosey’s surgeries under the name of Two Hips One Knee which also raises awareness of the disease; and for a little boy called Alfie Sales who is also from Leigh who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, an extremely rare but fatal genetic condition that predominantly affects boys.

Leigh Journal:

Alfie and his family with Rosey

The condition, which one in 3,500 boys are believed to suffer from, gradually increases in intensity and causes all muscles in the body to waste away.

Since Alfie’s diagnosis, his parents have launched the campaign Action4Alfie, which calls for research into the condition and raises funds for anything the youngster may need as his condition

Rosie adds: “Both me and Alfie have rare conditions, so we’ve worked with his family to raise whatever we can for both my surgeries and for Alfie but due to coronavirus all these had to be cancelled.

“Gregg was thinking of what he could do that was safe and he decided with Martyn to do four miles every four hours for 72 hours none stop between Friday, August 7 and Monday, August 10 and some of the other Leigh lads and family and friends will join in for some of it.

“It’s so hard living with a rare condition, there is no quick fix for me or for Alfie, but fundraising really is a lifesaver when it comes to paying for the unthinkable.

Leigh Journal:

Alfie

“Alfie is such a lovely little boy, it’s hard to think what he’ll go through and I don’t want to not enjoy my kids, so if you can donate please do.

“They’ve already raised £1,255 and it really does mean everything to us and Alfie’s family.”

n To donate go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gregg-mcnally4milechallenge

For updates go to facebook.com/twohipsoneknee