Ed and I are training hard and aiming to complete the Rome Marathon on 22 March. Every step we take is for two charities close to our hearts: Cystic Fibrosis Care and YoungMinds.

Cystic Fibrosis is a life-limiting condition that affects many individuals and their families. The incredible Charlie York lost his battle with this disease in 2025, highlighting the urgent need for continued support and research. The dedication of Christy and Sasha York in supporting those with Cystic Fibrosis is truly inspiring (https://www.cysticfibrosiscare.org.uk)

YoungMinds (https://www.youngminds.org.uk) focuses on the mental health of young people, providing vital resources and support. We run in celebration of four amazing young men: Kit Mangles, Toby Grave, Roddy Saxby, and Dan Milgate. All dearly loved and deeply missed, we like to think they would have completed this Road to Rome with ease - then met us at a bar to celebrate!

How you can help:

1. Donate – Please visit our JustGiving page (https://www.justgiving.com/team/ed-ben-gibson-2?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL) and make a donation. Our aim is to raise a significant sum for these wonderful charities.

2. Celebrate with us – On Sunday 22 March, pour a glass of Primitivo, enjoy a long Sunday lunch, and settle in for a screening of Chariots of Fire or Forest Gump ..... or watch Newcastle Utd v Sunderland.

3. Track our progress – About 4.5 hours later, check online https://www.runromethemarathon.com to see how we’re doing! and celebrate a victory for the Toon.

We're incredibly grateful to our sponsors Micro Scooters (https://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/) and Howden (https://www.howdeninsurance.co.uk/) for supporting our journey. Our target amount is £15,000, which will help us make a difference in the lives of those affected by these causes.

Thank you for being part of this adventure and helping us make a difference.