‘Hero’ Hartlepool boy with rare kidney condition to join family on 20-mile charity walk

A brave youngster from Hartlepool is set to join his family on a fundraising walk as he battles a rare kidney condition.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Just over six moths ago, Craig Adair, 11, was diagnosed with a rare form of Nephrotic Syndrome, called Membranous.

The condition affects the kidneys and causes swelling, fatigue and weight gain.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Craig’s mother, Sophie Young, 31, has said it is an adult kidney disease which is rarely found in children.

Craig Adair, with mum Sophie Young, is to take part in a sponsored walk.Craig Adair, with mum Sophie Young, is to take part in a sponsored walk.
Craig Adair, with mum Sophie Young, is to take part in a sponsored walk.

Sophie, from Dyke House, said: "He looked totally normal one day and then the next day, his full face and his full body was fulled with fluid.

"It was quite horrific to see. We took him straight to A&E and they knew straight away that he had kidney failure.

"He went yellow and he went puffy and swollen and he couldn’t walk. He was quite poorly, we had to stay in hospital for a week at the time.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sophie, who works in retail, has described how the diagnosis turned the family’s lives upside down, with Craig not being able to walk until the swelling went down.

Sophie Young with son Craig Adair, 11, who has a rare kidney condition.Sophie Young with son Craig Adair, 11, who has a rare kidney condition.
Sophie Young with son Craig Adair, 11, who has a rare kidney condition.

"It’s turned our lives upside down. We’ve had to get used to a new way of living,” said Sophie.

"Before this, Craig never took a tablet in his life. Now he takes 18 tablets on a morning and three on an evening.”

She added: "It’s been quite heartbreaking to be honest, but we’re just trying to keep positive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He’s been an absolute hero, he’s been an absolute star. He doesn’t complain, but you can tell he’s a bit down.

"It’s quite hard to watch.”

Read More
Walker raises hundreds of pounds for new men's mental health club

Now Sophie, Craig’s father, also called Craig, 33, and little Craig’s godmother, Harriet Armstrong, 31, are set to embark on charity walk from Hartlepool to Seaham and back on February 1 to raise money for the Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation.

Craig, who cannot do contact sports anymore, but is able to go for walks, has also vowed to join his family for a part of the walk.

Speaking of Craig, who goes to English Martyrs School, Sophie said: "He’s a very well-behaved child. He just doesn’t complain. He takes it in stride, he’s so strong.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He’s so loving, he’s the most polite little boy you’ll ever meet. He’ll do anything for anybody.”

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters.

Your support for our journalism means we can continue telling Hartlepool’s stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe - and click here to get a snapshot of the Mail’s news and sport to your inbox through our email newsletters.

Related topics: