Fundraise for MNDA: London Marathon

Ben is our Deputy Head Boy and will be running the London Marathon in October, in memory of his uncle and to raise funds and awareness for the Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA). He writes passionately about his motivation for fundraising and his love of the sport.

“For many years I have enjoyed running, many people think it is in my genes and they wouldn’t be wrong. Many of my family members are runners, but my greatest inspiration is my Uncle John, known to many as Johnboy, who had a very successful career as an endurance runner. He ran many marathons and ultra-marathons, but his greatest achievement was when, aged 48, he won the West Highland Way Challenge in Scotland, running 95 miles non-stop in 18 hours and 8 minutes. Cruelly, for a man so passionate about exercise, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. He lost his battle in September 2018, just two and a half years after he was diagnosed.

I am lucky to enjoy the same mental health strength as Johnboy and love nothing more than an endurance challenge. At aged 12, I took part in 40km (25mile)  all-terrain hike, and just before lockdown I increased this distance to 60km (37 miles). Given how much I love running, it seemed natural that I would enter a road race and I started thinking about running a marathon.

My London Marathon dream was born after a conversation with my mum, where I mentioned that I’d like to run a race as soon as I turned 18, only for her to tell me it was “absolutely impossible” to get a place via the ballot. Challenge accepted! I applied knowing I stood very little chance of getting in the first year I entered, but my luck was in and I got a place in the 2021 race, taking place just three months after my 18^th birthday. Training is underway and I’m clocking up the miles. I would be grateful for any donations, big or small. Thank you in advance; your support is much appreciated.”

The link to fundraising site is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-pease

GMS wishes Ben all the luck in the world on his first high-status marathon. We will feature an article on his experience later in the year; in the meantime please donate.