Thank you for visiting my marathon fundraising page supporting the MND Association. This year I’ll be running marathons and half-marathons around the world to raise money for this amazing Charity - including Tokyo, Rome, Amsterdam, Manchester, Cork and the Royal Parks Half Marathon here in London.

It’s a cause close to my family’s heart. This January marked 20 years since my Mum - Carmel Hogan O’Reilly - died from MND. It’s a fatal, rapidly progressive disease and like 1/3 of sufferers, my Mum was dead within a year of her diagnosis.

She was a brilliant person and a wonderful Mum - warm, funny, kind and strong willed in all the best ways. And she would have been a brilliant grandmother. MND took her away from us at the age of 55 before she could meet her two granddaughters who carry her name and in who I see her spark and so many of her qualities.

So, I’m now embarking on this mad endeavour to honour her memory. I want to raise funds so my little girls can grow up in a world where breakthroughs in MND research remove a terrible scourge - one that kills 6 people every day in the UK.

£1,000 will pay for vital DNA testing of someone with MND to advance the research. It’s twice as much as I’ve ever raised before. I’m not sure I can do it or whether various injuries (knee/hamstring/others to follow!) will hold out enough to get me round them all. But the cause couldn’t be more important. Every penny will be appreciated and I’ll update this page as I go to share my progress.

Thank you so much

Niall

February 2025

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