Mum’s on the run for her son

Daniel Junior with mum Vicky and dad Danny

A ROYTON mum is hoping her fundraising effort will help research into her son’s rare kidney condition.

Vicky Guerriero-Fletcher (29), of Hawkshead Drive, is pounding the pavements for the Children’s Clinical Research Facility at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Her seven-year-old son, Daniel Junior — known as DJ — was born with heart defects including holes in his heart, an abnormal heart valve and narrowing of the aorta.

At only five days old, he underwent open heart surgery in Leicester and needs check-ups every 12 months.

At the age of two, he was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease which results in water retention and swelling.

DJ, who has only one kidney, takes tablets every day to help keep it functioning and is steroid-dependant until a cure is found. His condition is so rare, hospital consultants are still researching which mixture of medication will work.

Mrs Guerriero-Fletcher, a part-time merchandiser for a greetings card company, said: “It’s been a nightmare. DJ’s been so poorly over the years.

“His kidney condition means he can put on a stone of water in five days and needs the drugs to help him lose the fluid.

“We are hopeful everytime he tries a new mix of medication but then he suffers another episode. Being in and out of hospital is the norm for him, it’s all he has ever known, but he copes really well.

“He says he wishes he was normal and he’s aware he looks different with the swelling, but he is a bright lad and it doesn’t stop him doing anything.

“He is a normal little boy who loves Manchester United and going to Fir Bank Primary School where his favourite subject is maths.”

Although 80 per cent of children grow out of nephrotic syndrome by the time they are teenagers, there is currently no cure.

As a result, his mum and her best friend Hannah Higgins are training for the Congleton half marathon on Sunday.

Mrs Guerriero-Fletcher said: “We decided to do our bit and have been training hard for the race. We want to raise as much money as possible for research into conditions including nephrotic syndrome.”

To make a donation call 07891 660 130 or visit www.justgiving.com/vicky-guerriero-fletcher