Father taking on gruelling fitness challenges to raise life-changing funds for teenager he has never met

A father-of-two is preparing to take on a gruelling fitness challenge to raise life-changing money for a teenager he has never met.

Billy Cartawick, 34, will attempt the Three Peaks Challenge on July 11, covering 23 miles and ascending 3,064 metres across Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

The telecoms area manager stumbled upon 16-year-old Jake McGregor-How's story while searching the Tree of Hope website for a worthy cause to champion.

Mr Cartawick: "I was really choked up reading about Jake for some reason his story really resonated with me."

The 34-year-old had originally planned a London to Ibiza cycling expedition with a friend but postponed it until next year, choosing instead to dedicate his efforts to raising money for Jake's treatment fund.

Jake first began experiencing subtle balance difficulties approximately five years ago, when he was around 11 years old, with doctors initially attributing the problems to issues with his feet that could be addressed with insoles.

The symptoms intensified significantly six months ago, prompting extensive medical investigations that ultimately led to a Friedreich's Ataxia diagnosis at the end of 2025.

The genetic, neurodegenerative condition typically emerges during adolescence and progressively impairs mobility, balance and coordination.

Patients may also suffer sensory deterioration, along with sight and hearing loss, while the disease additionally impacts cardiac function.

There is currently no cure available, though a medication called Omaveloxolone has demonstrated the ability to slow, halt and sometimes reverse the condition's effects, but it remains inaccessible within the UK.

Mr Cartawick found himself drawn to Jake's circumstances partly through their shared experiences of loss.

"I lost my father quite recently and I saw Jake lost his mother a few years ago. I've found the loss really hard, it must be even worse when you're a teenager," he explained.

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Jake's mother Gaynor passed away from a brain tumour three years ago, leaving the teenager to cope with devastating grief before receiving his diagnosis.

"And then to have a diagnosis of this degenerative condition, it's a huge amount to deal with," Mr Cartawick added.

Despite working full-time and raising two young children, Mr Cartawick maintains a demanding training schedule of eight sessions weekly.

His fundraising efforts have already generated over £1,000, with Mr Cartawick having spoken to Jake's father and grandmother and hoping to meet the family later this year.

Jake's father Paul How, 48, who works as a claims manager for a local insurance broker, said the family has so far collected more than £133,000 through donations from relatives, friends and generous strangers.

"But obviously we still have a long way to go. I am looking at every way possible of achieving our goal, basically, every penny counts for us," Mr How said.

The drug Omaveloxolone, available in America and numerous European nations, carries an annual cost of approximately £300,000.

"However, his condition will deteriorate, potentially quite rapidly, which is why we need to fundraise for this drug as quickly as possible. Time really is of the essence," Mr How explained.

Despite his diagnosis, Jake continues studying for his A-levels with ambitions of attending university.

"Until recently Jake had no idea he had any condition at all. Now he just wants the chance to live his life to the fullest for as long as possible," his father added.

Beyond the Three Peaks, Mr Cartawick has committed to two additional demanding events in the coming months.

He will run the Basildon Half Marathon on September 13, followed by the Everest Stairmaster Challenge on October 19, during which he plans to climb the equivalent height of Everest on a stairmaster machine over 16 to 19 hours.

"Billy reaching out to us really was a lovely example of the kindness of strangers," Mr How said.

"He has volunteered to complete some quite frankly, incredibly difficult challenges, all to raise money for Jake's cause, I can't thank him or commend him enough, such a generous and noble thing to do."

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