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Maidstone man Martin Clews drove to every ground in the England football league to raise cash for Great Ormond Street Hospital

By: Claire McWethy cmcwethy@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 00:01, 11 May 2015

A challenge to drive to every ground in the England football league in aid of a little boy who suffers from a rare disorder has been completed in just 81 hours.

Martin Clews visited all 92 clubs, plus one in Paris, in a continuous relay to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He was driven from stadium to stadium by fellow members of the Citroen DS3GB Owners Club and hit the £2,500 target with more money coming in.

Martin Clews visits all 92 English league football clubs in aid of Jensen Norris

It will go towards research into Sturge-Weber syndrome, a condition that affects the son of one of the organisation’s founders Lee Norris, 42.

The disorder means Jensen, who is 17 months old, has problems with his skin, brain and eyes. He has had more than 20 seizures already in his short life.

“It was a tough 81 hours but they did it even with the hiccups along the way. We have been overwhelmed with the interest taken in this event and in Jensen himself" - Nicola Norris

The challenge – which began at the home ground of Paris St Germain – was to get round all the grounds within 93 hours but Mr Clews arrived at the finish point – Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium – with 12 hours to spare.

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That was despite the team getting a flat tyre on the first leg of the journey and with only around four hours sleep throughout the four days.

Mr Norris, from Church Lane, Harrietsham, drove for several legs and little Jensen caught up with the charity run at a pit stop at Maidstone services to lend his support.

Jensen’s mum Nicola Norris, 35, a medical practice manager, said “After a challenging start to Jensen’s life, it is so amazing that Martin and the club members made this amazing challenge possible and we would like to say thank you.

Nicola and Lee Norris of Harrietsham with son Jensen who suffers from a rare disease. Picture: Matthew Walker

“It was a tough 81 hours but they did it even with the hiccups along the way. We have been overwhelmed with the interest taken in this event and in Jensen himself.

We would love to say a massive thank you to all the sponsors. We are truly grateful for their help in trying to understand this rare condition.”

To help Jensen you can donate online.


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