Bandsmen doing a runner for charity

Wednesday 25 May 2016

Scott Edmond, far left, suffers from the liver condition Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).

 

SCOTTISH bandspeople are to put down their instruments and pick up their running shoes to raise money for charity.

Members of Whitburn and Co-operative Funeralcare bands are among a group of friends who are all raising funds to help support their friend Scott Edmond, who suffers from the liver condition Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).

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Scott is the son of Alan and Laura Edmond, who are well-known faces in the British band scene thanks in part to Alan’s work for many years with Besson and as a horn player with Whitburn, Co-operative Funeralcare and Broxburn and Livingston among others. The family now live in Australia.

The runners have entered various events over the Edinburgh Marathon Festival (EMF) on May 28 and 29, ranging from the 5km to the full marathon.

Laura and Alan Edmond said: “In September 2015 we were given the devastating news that our 15-year old-son Scott has a rare incurable progressive disease of the bile ducts called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

“The progression of this disease causes destruction of the bile ducts, repeated infections, jaundice, fatigue, uncontrollable itching, tumours and many more challenging symptoms. The liver becomes scarred and damaged, which ultimately leads to cirrhosis and complete liver failure. Scott is currently at stage 2 fibrosis, stage 4 is cirrhosis.

“At present there is no known cure for the disease and a transplant is the only option when end-stage liver disease is reached. We have been overwhelmed by the offers of support we have had from people wanting to raise funds and help us in raising awareness of this terrible disease.”

The runners are raising money for PSC Support, which provides information and fantastic help to PSC sufferers and their families, and Mowatlabs at Kings Hospital London, who have helped the Edmond family with valuable advice on Scott’s condition.

 

Scott's condition has prompted Scottish bandspeople to get involved in the charity fundraiser.

 

This year, the hospital will open a pediatric research laboratory which will be responsible for research, predominately for children’s liver disease, but also for other conditions including cancers.

The Co-operative Funeralcare Band has also offered to donate a cornet the band won at the Scottish Solo and Ensemble competition towards the fund, while Bo’ness and Carriden – where Scott’s sister Hayley plays flugel – held a fundraising concert for the charities in February. A member of the RASWA Brass band in Australia also raised funds by running a half marathon.

Laura and Alan added: “Despite also having Ulcerative Colitis, which is common with PSC and Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, Scott is currently doing well. He is keeping a very positive, can-do attitude and is refusing to let this disease control his life. He is an incredible young man and we are very lucky and extremely proud to be his parents.

“During this really difficult time it has been a great help and comfort for us to focus our energy into fundraising to raise awareness of this awful disease and to help fund research in the quest to find a cure. We are absolutely delighted that a group of our friends are running the EMF. We wish them all the best for the run and we will be cheering them on every step of the way.”

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Email Nigel Martin: sbbapr@gmail.com