I am running the first Leeds Marathon in 20 years on 14^th May 2023, in honour of my late dear friend, Robert Davidson and the charity set up in his name – the Robert Sinclair Davidson Foundation. The foundation offers financial support to young couples and families who have been affected by life threatening and terminal illnesses.

Rob was someone I looked up to and saw as the big brother I never had. From the age of around 7 or 8 I basically copied everything he did – played in the same rugby and football teams, followed him to the same University, moved from Leeds to London a couple of years after him and embarked on a career as a lawyer just as he did.

It’s quite fitting that I’m running the Rob Burrow Marathon in honour of his namesake, my old friend Rob D, as he too was a brilliant scrum half. Also diminutive in size but tough as nails and one of the hardest guys to stop once he got going. He was fearless on the rugby field, often stopping opponents twice his size dead in their tracks. This
mentality transferred to the football pitch years later when we played together for our local side, Rob as a hard tackling right back treating every game like a cup final. He was also a cross fit fanatic – annoyingly fit and strong. He was the type of sportsman you really wanted on your side rather than having to come up against him.

Given how fit and full of life Rob was, it came as a massive shock when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2015 at the age of 33. He had just made partner at his law firm and was a couple of years into married life with his beautiful wife, Sariet. This would have made many stop in their tracks and give in but Rob continued to practice as a lawyer even when he lost mobility in his limbs and the ability to speak. He remained socially active and never lost his sense of humour, whilst battling courageously against this horrific and indiscriminate disease until he sadly passed away in December 2016. He was, and remains, an inspiration.

I didn’t think I’d be writing this as of a couple of weeks ago. Unlike Rob, I am not built for marathon running and I found the training very tough. I got halfway through a 16 week training programme when I was sidelined with an IT band problem or “runners knee”. After a few weeks of feeling sorry for myself and considering pulling out of the race, I have put my big boy pants on and started running again. Whilst I am not where I should be fitness-wise, I completed a half marathon the other day relatively unscathed and Rob is constantly on my mind whenever I feel I’m like hitting a wall. He would be the first person to grab me by the collar and drag me over the finish line and I have every intention of doing that come May 14^th.

Any donation really will make a big difference to so many people so please do give what you can.