Giles celebrates 50th birthday by running iconic marathons for people with MND
For most people the thought of doing just one marathon in their lifetime would be enough.
But not for Melton Mowbray man, Giles Ashton-Roberts, who is taking on seven of the world’s biggest marathons over the next few months for a cause very close to his heart.
Giles has already completed the Paris marathon this month, he takes on the Boston Marathon this week and then runs the London Marathon on Sunday.
He then goes Down Under for the Sydney Marathon in Australia in August before taking on the New York Marathon in November, Singapore in December and Mumbai, India, in January next year.
It’s all to raise money for the MND Association in support of his mum, Jenny, who is living with motor neurone disease (MND) – a terminal neurological disease which affects around 5,000 people in the UK at any one time.
Giles, who works for airport ground services company, Swissport, explained: “I turn 50 this year and rather than organise a big party I thought it would be a great opportunity to do something different.
“Mum, who now lives in Germany, was diagnosed with MND about 10 years ago having experienced problems with her legs. She’s now fully immobile and needs constant support and assistance.”
TCS, partner of 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and running events, is supporting Giles on his mission.
Apart from ensuring admission to all marathons, the firm will be following him across the globe for a documentary which is expected to be aired earlyin 2027.
The MND Association is the largest MND charity in the UK. It funds ground-breaking research into potential new treatments for MND while also supporting people with the disease, their families and carers. Six people are diagnosed with MND every day. It damages nerves which send messages to muscles in the body, leaving people unable speak, eat or breathe.
MND Association Relationship Fundraiser, Alistair Laing said: “Around 5,000 people are living with MND at any one time in the UK.
“People like Giles help to give hope to those people and we are so grateful for his support.”
Go to www.justgiving.com/page/giles-ashton-roberts-2 to sponsor Giles.