Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page. I plan to run the Sheffield Half Marathon in support of the MND Association.

Anyone that knows my dad will know that health and fitness were at the core of his world. He spent 30 years heading up a charity that focusses on improving the lives of children through sport and activity. Outside of work, he loved his football and once he had hung his boots up, he traded it for the gym and road cycling. Cycling is a passion that I too have embraced and one that we have enjoyed together over the past 10 years. On top of this we have spent countless hours, and days, with family and friends; kicking, throwing, catching and hitting a ball, walking, jogging and running in many places, spinning our way up to the top of ridiculous climbs and sending ourselves back down them at 40+ mph. All in the name of fun!

However, in September 2022, we were rocked with the news that my dad was diagnosed with ALS, a form of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This is a rare and terminal neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles.

Dad and I rode our last bike ride together in October 2022, only a month after his formal diagnosis. As the bad weather drew in for winter, we were no longer able to risk heading out as his coordination had started to diminish and he struggled getting on and off the bike. Of all the moments since his diagnosis, this one sticks out for me. In the back of my mind I thought this could be our last ride together, but hoped we could manage more. I wished we could've planned that cycling trip to the Alps that summer.

MND is a brutal process. It robs people of their ability to carry out the most basic of functions. Witnessing its progression is emotional and heart wrenching. For someone like my dad, hitting the gym at 6am before his working day or clocking up 100's of miles over a weekend was normal. Now, just 18 months on, his daily routine has become a real challenge. Getting in and out of bed, getting washed and dressed, eating and drinking are no longer simple. Every task requires an immense amount of effort and cannot be done without additional support. It is increasingly tiring for him and as each day passes the disease progresses. My mum is now his full-time carer and both are no longer working, a shock to the their lives for sure. Spending nearly every waking moment together is a challenge in itself, some might say.

The effects of MND are devastating, not only for the person diagnosed, but for the people connected to that person too. As a son, coming to terms with the reality of what has and what is to come, is tough and hard to understand. However, one thing we are incredibly grateful for is the time we have, we just always hope for more. This is what has driven me to run the Sheffield Half Marathon.

In recent years, MND has been in the mainstream media, with thanks to high profile cases such as Rob Burrows. The disease affects around 5000 people in the UK at any one time and life expectancy is around 2-5 years. There is no cure and research into treatment is quite limited. Luckily the MNDA has a mission.

The MND Association focus on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. By sponsoring me your money will help people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. Once you donate, JustGiving will send your money directly to the MND Association. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure, your details are safe - they'll never sell them or send unwanted emails.

Thank you again