Hastings man to join mammoth challenge in aid of friend with facial paralysis

The deputy headteacher of a St Leonards primary school teacher and 14 of his university mates will be taking part in a mammoth challenge for their friend who was diagnosed with a condition which causes facial paralysis.
By Stephen Wynn-Davies
Published 16th Feb 2021, 16:57 BST
Updated 16th Feb 2021, 17:02 BST
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Ross Maryan, the deputy headteacher at St Leonards CEP Academy, will be taking part in a 50km (31 miles) run across the Norfolk Broadlands alongside a close-knit group who met while studying at the University of Lincoln.

They will be raising money for Facial Palsy UK after a popular member of the group, Dean Keats, 35, developed Ramsay Hunt Syndrome before Christmas.

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Dad to Dylan and husband to Keshia, Dean thought he had an ear infection when he started getting severe ear ache and pain down one side of his face. The condition was initially misdiagnosed before it advanced into the onset of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. The virus has since entered Dean’s facial nerve and caused paralysis on one side of his face.

A close group of friends who met while studying at the University of Lincoln will be running 50km in aid of their friend who was diagnosed with a condition which causes facial paralysis SUS-210216-165108001A close group of friends who met while studying at the University of Lincoln will be running 50km in aid of their friend who was diagnosed with a condition which causes facial paralysis SUS-210216-165108001
A close group of friends who met while studying at the University of Lincoln will be running 50km in aid of their friend who was diagnosed with a condition which causes facial paralysis SUS-210216-165108001

Dean, an otherwise fit and healthy secondary school PE teacher who plays rugby at weekends, said: “It was frightening. I spent quite some time in severe pain and was being sick relentlessly in the early stages. I had a couple of trips in an ambulance as my symptoms were that strong and scary.

“When part of your face loses its ability to function you fear the worst. I also feel slightly frustrated because I was told it was many things and wasted lots of time before being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

“Facial Palsy UK have been my guiding light throughout, offering me with all the advice I need to fight this condition – that’s why I’m so proud of the boys for stepping up and raising awareness of them.”

The group of friends will be attempting the run in June 2021 as part of The Broads Challenge.

To support their fundraising efforts, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/lincoln-uni-boys

Related topics:St LeonardsHastings