On 15/04/2023 I ran across Scotland from Fort William to Inverness in under 24 hours for the MND Association.

In doing that I was lucky enough to get to know Mark and Steph Williams from Abertillery, who have gone on to become family to me.

Mark was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in July 2022. Since first speaking in October of the same year, along with his friends and family, we've gone on to do some horrendous stuff together for his own charity that he's set up to help others in his situation - 10 summits of Pen-Y-Fan in 24 hours, a 54 mile walk and a 250 mile bike ride from Anglesey to Abertillery.

I've been wanting to have something else in the diary that scares me. This next one does exactly that.

In February 2026, I will be starting at Prestatyn and running south to Chepstow over the course of three and a half days, along the Offa's Dyke Path, accumulating 177 miles / 285km in the process.

This is all to raise money to support The MNDefiance Trust which was founded by Mark and Steph Williams. The Trust issues grants to families and people who are living with the utter devastation that motor neurone disease causes.

Watching how Mark, Steph and all their family and friends have taken on this fight makes me want to do more. This run is just the next small bit in the fight. While there's still no cure and still a need to help this community, we'll not stop doing our bit.