A man who developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after a car crash has vowed to beat his disability and complete the Brighton Color Run.
Martin Leppard will lead a team of people with the disabling syndrome – the Brighton CRPS Warriors – as they walk the five kilometres along Brighton seafront in September.
The Color Run – imported from America, complete with the American spelling – claims to be the original, largest and most unique event of its kind.
Thousands of “Color Runners” start the day in a special edition white t-shirt before getting covered from head to toe in a rainbow of colours at the four Color Zones and the new Foam Zone as they run five kilometres to celebrate health, happiness and friendship.
Fundraising for the run is already under way.
Warriors who battle disability suffering from the syndrome will not only walk along the Maeira Drive route to raise money but also to raise awareness of their condition.
Mr Leppard was left with greatly reduced mobility when he developed the syndrome after a car accident in January 2013.
He said: “In the space of two weeks, I went from running 10k a week to being unable to get from one end of my bungalow to the other.”
Despite his reduced mobility, Mr Leppard is determined to complete the 5k challenge in September.
He said: “It was something I wanted to do before my accident. I decided that it would be my personal challenge for 2017.
“I’m hoping to raise 50p per metre and I’ll get to the finish line if it kills me!”
He was involved with Color Run before his accident as an event manager but reluctantly had to withdraw from the hands-on organisation afterwards.
His involvement with the run over many years has made him even more determined to complete it.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that causes severe pain which won’t go away.
It usually affects just one arm or leg and often follows an earlier injury to the limb. Most commonly it affects the hand and wrist, foot and ankle or knee, although sometimes the entire leg or arm can be affected.
The body’s reaction to the injury is much stronger than usual and may spread.
Anyone can be affected by CRPS, including children.
Mr Leppard will be accompanied by his friends and family who make up the Brighton CRPS Warriors and the team will be taking part on Saturday 23 September. To sponsor them, click here.
This article was first published in Brighton and Hove News.