Man does Great North Run for 'amazing' brother

Aug 12 2009 by David Black, The Journal

CARING Matthew Petini is racing ahead with plans to raise money in memory of his ‘amazing’ brother who tragically died at just 18.

Matthew, 22, will be raising money for the charity Leukaemia Research – as a tribute to brother Danny – when he competes in the world's biggest half-marathon on September 20.

Student Danny passed away surrounded by his family on New Year’s Day last year after being diagnosed with leukaemia the previous summer.

Danny, who lived with Matthew, youngest brother Joseph and their parents, Enrico and Janet, in Hepscott Park, Morpeth, was expected to respond well to treatment.

But his condition deteriorated and he was found to be also suffering from haemophagocytic syndrome, a rare and little understood blood disorder.

Danny, a sports science student at Northumberland College in Ashington, was a karate and boxing enthusiast who was on a model agency’s books and had already taken part in his first TV advertisement.

Now Matthew is doing daily gym work and stepping up his road mileage in the hope of completing the Bupa-sponsored, 13.1-mile race from in less than three hours - and helping others caught in Danny's situation.

He said: “Daniel was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2007 and while he was being treated he picked up a rare blood disorder. He unfortunately passed away on January 1, 2008. Daniel suffered terribly while he was ill, but he was so brave. He was such a caring young man who had so many friends and he is missed greatly by all his family and friends.

“Even when he was very ill himself, he was always worrying and concerned about the young children with leukaemia and other blood cancers on his ward at hospital.

“I want to raise as much money as possible in memory of an amazing brother, so I can help others who are fighting against leukaemia.

“I'm really looking forward to taking part in the Great North Run and I'm sure it will be a fantastic day.''

Matthew hopes to raise £1,000 for Leukaemia Research, which is dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Kate White, director of fundraising for the charity, said Matthew will be joining celebrities from TV shows such as Emmerdale, Coronation Street and The Bill – led by former Olympics star Liz McColgan – in taking part in the GNR for Leukaemia Research this year.

Matthew, who is hoping to join the police, said: “This is very much in memory of Daniel.”

:: You can support Matthew by visiting www.justgiving.com/mattpetini