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Twins take on 10k run for Down's syndrome charity

Angela FergusonNorth West
Jillian Perry Two young men are smiling as they stand side by side in a house, both wearing white T-shirts with the pink, yellow and blue Down's Syndrome Manchester logo on.Jillian Perry
Harry and Thomas Derricott, 24, will be raising money for Down's Syndrome Manchester

Two brothers with Down's syndrome are taking part in the Great Manchester Run 10k to raise money for a charity which has helped them since childhood.

Twins Thomas and Harry Derricott, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, are part of a group of 10 young adults with the condition who will be running together, along with 30 friends and family members.

They are raising money for the charity Down's Syndrome Manchester, with £18,000 donated so far.

"I'm excited to do the 10k for my first time," Harry said, while Thomas added he could "not wait" to take part in his second such run.

"I can't wait to do the 10k again," he said, adding: "It's my second time and this year I'm doing it with my twin brother, my good friends and our friends and Greg and Jack from high school."

The 24-year-olds said their training had included going to a gym and doing their local Park Run every weekend.

"We're all ready - we've been doing lots of training, lots of walking and healthy eating," their mum Jill Perry told BBC Radio Manchester.

She said Thomas's girlfriend Maddi, 25, will also be joining them for the run.

Jillian Perry A man with a blue T-shirt, hooded top and running vest is running alongside a woman wearing an orange padded jacket and leggings.Jillian Perry
Harry has also been training with his girlfriend Maddi, who is part of the group doing the Great Manchester Run

Training had been difficult in the recent heat "but they've done so well and I'm so proud of them", Jill added.

She said it was "incredible" that they had already raised more than £18,000 for Down's Syndrome Manchester.

Jillian Perry A man with short hair and black top and shorts and a running hydration vest is running, with another man wearing an olive green hooded top and shorts is smiling while running behind him.Jillian Perry
Harry will also be joined in the run by Greg, the twins' best friend from high school

Jill said Thomas did the 10k last year after being inspired by a friend Joseph Adams, who did 10 10k runs in succession with his family a few years ago.

"Thomas did it last year with his friend from high school and that's then inspired Harry to do it this year along with other members of the group from Down's Syndrome Manchester," she added.

She said they had been a part of this local charity since the boys were born.

"It's going to be very emotional watching them all doing it together - it's going to be very special," she added.

10 young adults with Down's Syndrome running 10K

Harry and Thomas said they would be celebrating with a meal at Nando's and a glass of prosecco.

"I'm very proud of all of them," Jill said, adding: "It's going to be an amazing day."

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