How K-Man's making a massive splash for the Dougie Mac...

Fundraising superhero to swim 7km for its summer campaign

- By Gary Porter

A TEENAGE boy with a rare incurable condition is raising hundreds of pounds for the 'incredible' hospice caring for him.

Kieran Hankin - known to family and friends as 'K-Man' - was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) in 2017, shortly before his seventh birthday.

The condition is a life-changing, life-limiting, degenerative neuro-muscular disease, which affects his balance, co-ordination and muscle strength.

But in July, the 14-year-old will aim to complete 280 lengths - 7km - for the Dougie Mac's Big Swim. He has set himself a target of £1,500 - and he's almost there.

There is no cure for the Cheadle Academy pupil's condition, but the first ever drug to help slow down progression was approved in the USA two years ago, although it is still not available in the UK. Ataxia UK is working with patients and their families to change this.

Kieran also has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in which the muscles of his heart are abnormally thick, making it harder for his heart to pump blood around his body contributing to extreme tiredness. The teenager also has pes cavus, which has made his feet turn inwards leading to a loss of mobility.