Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I’m taking on the Lakeland 50 — 50 miles through the Lake District — in memory of my cousin Ellie 💜

Ellie was such a special person, and our family misses her every single day. Running this ultra marathon is my way of honouring her and supporting the incredible work being done in her name through the Ellie Mawdsley Foundation.

The foundation supports brain tumour research, in particular Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) — a devastating diagnosis that affects children and turns families’ worlds upside down. As well as funding vital research, the charity supports both the patients who receive this diagnosis and the families walking that heartbreaking journey alongside them.

The route includes over 3,000 metres (almost 10,000 feet) of elevation gain across some of the toughest terrain in the country. I’ll be training as hard as I can over the coming months and giving absolutely everything on the day — aiming not just to complete the challenge, but to push myself and finish as strong and as fast as I possibly can. Every climb, every mile and every step will be for Ellie.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how big or small, it would mean so much to me and my family.

Thank you for your support,

Michael 💜