Injured runner to walk marathon distance to thank charity which gave family dream trip to New York

A mum from South Shields is raising money for the Dreams Come True charity after they sent the family on a dream trip to Wrestle Mania in New York.
Julie and her husband Chris, along with daughter Jess at Wrestle Mania.Julie and her husband Chris, along with daughter Jess at Wrestle Mania.
Julie and her husband Chris, along with daughter Jess at Wrestle Mania.

Julie Thompson, from South Shields is running her first marathon on Sunday for the charity that helped her 24-year-old daughter Jessica go to New York to visit Wrestle Mania.

Ms Thompson’s daughter was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) when she was 18-years-old, which means she is now wheelchair bound.

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The 52-year-old mum said: “I wanted to run on behalf of The Dreams Come True charity as I am so grateful for their efforts in making my daughter’s dream a reality.

Jessica Thompson on her dream trip to Wrestle Mania.Jessica Thompson on her dream trip to Wrestle Mania.
Jessica Thompson on her dream trip to Wrestle Mania.

"The charity are fantastic and I would love to give something back to them.

"Jessica loved going to Wrestle Mania and hasn’t stopped talking about it since, the memories of it have really helped her through some tough times.”

The Dreams Come True charity help children and young adults make their dreams into a reality.

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Jessica with Sasha Banks at Wrestle Mania.Jessica with Sasha Banks at Wrestle Mania.
Jessica with Sasha Banks at Wrestle Mania.
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She added: “I have run the Great North Run several times and even pushed Jess around in her wheelchair with a friend the first time I did it.

"I listen to Take That, Olly murrs, Robbie Williams and Michael Buble while training and we joke that I train with ‘my boys.’

"My daughter Jess loves to be involved too so she is helping create a new playlist for me to listen to on Sunday as I have listened to my current playlist so many times that I now know what the next song will be!”

All the money raised by Julie will be donated to Dreams Come True.

Julie's daughter Jessica with John CenaJulie's daughter Jessica with John Cena
Julie's daughter Jessica with John Cena
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She added: “I’m not a runner and I have injured my knee so I will be walking the route on Sunday but it won’t stop me from raising money for such a deserving charity.

"I feel quite nervous about the marathon but I have support from my husband and daughter who will be joining me during parts of the route.

"The marathon is a solo run so I will need my music to keep me going as there won’t be a group of people around me but I am really looking forward to it.”

Ms Thompson is asking people to share their favourite running songs to add to her playlist for Sunday.

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