My friend Michael has suffered with Muscular Dystrophy since birth.

This impacted his childhood: no sports, not allowed to even partake in any exercise.  By 2018, he ended up in a wheelchair, as he was always told he would eventually.

And so, I'm running for Muscular Dystrophy UK in honour of my friend Mike.

But, as it turned out, that's not where this story ends.

Mike saw a specialist, and he said Mike might not need a wheelchair.  Spark of hope; the first he'd ever had.  Try doing some of those sports and exercises you've always been told you couldn't, the specialist said...

Mike started to walk here and there, he built up to being able to jog, just a little bit. He joined the couch to 5k program - with little chance of actually being able to run a 5k.  Through sheer grit and detemination, he achieved that - but much more was still to come...

"I wasn't a fast runner, but I could run! Who knew?!"

2021 - Mike applies for the London freakin' Marathon... And gets in! 
Even more amazingly he completes a freakin' marathon.

Since then Mike has entered every event he can, but he's always said there's a few events he'd really like to do - the Great North Run at the head of them.

He has a bucket list, and he is smashing it.

And so, 2023 - it is my great priviledge to not just be running in the Great North Run in honour of my friend Mike, but alongside him!

So I'm going to run as hard as I can. For Mike. For Muscular Distrophy UK.  And, I hope, for every other kid who stands to be helped by MDUK.

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for the 110,000 children and adults living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK. There's currently no cure, and it many cases, it limits lives. MDUK do vital work in funding pioneering research into treatments and cures as well as providing vital information, advice, resources and support for individuals and families living with these conditions.All donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated. Thank you!