Five friends raise thousands as they prepare to take on London Marathon

A group of friends are going the extra mile in aid of a cause close to their hearts, as they take on the London Marathon. Simon Adshead, alongside Bob Briggs-Price, Garry Fell, Steven Clewer, and Sam Ward, will be hitting the street of London on April 27, running 26.2 miles in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The charity funds research, improves care and provides support for people with Motor Neurone Disease, as well as their families and carers. For the friends, it is personal with people they know affected by the disease which limits mobility and speech, and for which there is currently no cure. The group originally hoped to reach a fundraising target £10,000 , and have already raised £8,000.



“This all started three years ago when the mother of a good friend of ours was diagnosed,” said Simon. “A year later and my wife’s father received his diagnosis. “On Christmas Day last year, my father-in-law passed away, and it was on Boxing Day that I decided I wanted to do something to help others.

“My friends were planning to run anyway, so when I saw they were signing up I joined them. “We’re all in our 40s now, so things are going to hurt, but we’re deep into training now. “It’s such a quick and cruel disease.

Most of those affected have a life expectancy of just three or four years, and there is currently no known cure.” Despite having completed the London Marathon twice in the past, Simon does not describe himself as a runner, but wanted to be involved nonetheless. He added: “The Motor Neurone Disease Association set people up to live the best possible life that they can.

They are very good at supporting people and their families. “The five of us know quite a lot of people in the town and we’ve had so many reach out in support too. “We’ve held fundraising events, raffles and given out prizes, and we’re pushing towards that £10,000.

“When you start these things you never know what the reaction is going to be — it’s always mind blowing when people are so generous.” If you would like to support the cause, visit Simon’s fundraising page here: www.justgiving.

com/page/bob-steven-garry-sam-and-simon-1718037522258 The group will be holding their next fundraising events ahead of the big day, at Farndon Cricket Club, on April 5..