WELCOME to the London 2024 MDUK fundraising page for Jon, Stuart & Thanh

You may have reached this page because you know us directly; or because you know our partners (Lynne, Kirsty & Matt), kids or further family; or because you know the charity MDUK; or because you know the Spink family (Kerry, Grant, Scarlett and twins Oscar and Sebastian) who live in our home village of Lymm near Warrington.

Whatever your reason for visiting this page, we’d love you to read on so we can introduce ourselves and the charity we’re running for.

Thank you to those who’ve donated so far, either for Jon’s 60th birthday fundraiser or for Stuart's 50th (+3!) birthday fundraiser.

April sees the addition of Thanh into the team who has secured a late entry via the waitlist.

Please continue to support our campaign as we push forward towards a higher target.

ABOUT Jon Sheehy

Excited to finally run London, with Stuart, Thanh, and also my daughter Jenna, several local friends and with the fantastic support of MDUK.

Recently retired, hoping come race day 60 is just a number. Bitten by the endurance bug several years back, a garage full of road bikes and worn out trainers is testimony to a decade of lycra clad adventures - but never The London Marathon, until now.

It will be extra special to share the experience with my family - Lynne, Nick, Jenna, Elena and Sophie. Plus the post-race celebrations could well be legendary!

ABOUT Stuart James

Dad of 3, husband, Geography teacher in Warrington, amateur runner (who started running in January 2019 at Warrington Parkrun wearing hiking boots), aspiring London Marathon runner, and hopefully – with your help – successful fundraiser for the charity MDUK.

Why London then? When I first did a 5k, I thought immediately towards future goals of a 10k, then beyond to a Half and a Marathon. I’m not a running addict though – far from it – but something about the London Marathon and being able to make a fundraising contribution – has drawn me in.

It’s the first charity “anything” I’ve ever done so I can hand-on-heart say, I won’t have asked you for a sponsorship donation ever before. Since fundraising is completely new to me, I really hope you’ll give me some encouragement to do well in 2024 in the name of a great cause.

ABOUT Thanh Cawley

Late to the party but excited to be joining the boys on this adventure!

When a place became available, even though it was last minute, I couldn’t resist accepting the challenge. I have always done ‘a bit’ of running so I’m not completely unprepared. For me, this won’t be about PBs or running fast but about soaking up the unique experience of London, making my husband and three kids proud, and hopefully ‘enjoying’ myself whilst helping to raise funds for an amazing charity.

WHY MDUK

There are literally hundreds of charities involved with Marathon running, especially “the London”, and many of these are close to our heart.

Our long-term friends have twin boys, Oscar and Sebastian, who were diagnosed at the age of 8 in July 2019 with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

The family’s repeated invitation to run in support of MDUK was something we always intended to respond to favourably at some stage. It was simply a matter of when though.

We’re not getting any younger and Stuart’s running abilities, whilst dramatically improving since that first 5k in 2019, won’t be passable forever and he risks falling even further behind Jon and Thanh in April if we don’t crack on. So, we decided that there could be no more excuses. 2024 is the year to make “our muscles matter” in aid of MDUK.

ABOUT 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.

THANK YOU

Thank you for visiting and reading this page.

All donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated and will go towards critical research work and important support and resources.

We hope you can support us and will wish us well!

Thanks,

Jon and Stuart (aka JS2), plus new teamie, Thanh.