Bournemouth, Personalities | Posted on March 30th, 2026 | return to news

Bournemouth wheelchair user to take part in London Marathon

A Bournemouth father and his family are helping a muscular dystrophy sufferer to take part in the event on 24 April.

A wheelchair user is to take part in the TCS London Marathon on 24 April to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

At the age of nine, Keira Santry, now 30, was diagnosed with a rare form of limb girdle muscular dystrophy, becoming a wheelchair user nine years later. However, she had always dreamed of taking part in the marathon.

Now her father Robert, 47, her husband Andrew Norman, 34, her younger sister Georgia Santry, 27, and Georgia’s partner David Burke, 26, are joining together to enable Keira to complete the 26.2 miles alongside more than 50,000 runners with a specialist running wheelchair.

Bournemouth father of three, Robert, said: “Keira’s condition is so rare they’ve not been able to fully diagnose the type yet. It’s a condition that affects every aspect of her life. Before her diagnosis, she was that child who never sat still and always had far too much energy. She was obsessed with gymnastics and any sport that involved a ball, and we were blissfully unaware of what her future would hold.

“Muscular Dystrophy UK funds groundbreaking research into conditions like limb girdle muscular dystrophy and provides life-changing support for people living with muscle-wasting conditions. They’ve been there every step of the way for me and my family, from Keira’s diagnosis right up until now. I couldn’t think of a more worthwhile charity to raise money for.

“As a father, I’m incredibly proud of all my children. With Keira in particular, we’ve had to watch her defy the odds no matter what life throws at her. So, to be able to run by her side at the London Marathon is a marvellous milestone, not only for her but for us as a family, and I couldn’t be prouder of her.”