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 Leicestershire fundraiser Giles Ashton-Roberts who will be taking part in seven of the world’s biggest marathons this year for a cause very close to his heart.

In just two weeks during April, Giles, from Melton Mowbray, is taking part in three iconic runs – in Paris last weekend, Boston and London before competing in Sydney, Australia in August. In November he will be at the New York marathon before travelling to Singapore in December and Mumbai in January 2027.

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 ten years ago having experienced problems with her legs. She’s now fully immobile and needs constant support and assistance.

“I’d got into the TCS New York City Marathon last year and the idea of personal challenge and something big for my 50th year just snowballed. It’s an amazing way of marking my 50th by challenging myself physically and importantly, helping to raise money and awareness for the MND Association at the same time.”

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,TCS will be following him across the globe for a documentary which is expected in early 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.

“It’s a huge challenge but the whole MND community will be with him every step of the way.”

For more information about Giles’ challenge visit www.justgiving.com/page/giles-ashton-roberts-2

Learn more about MND and the work of the MND Association at mndassociation.org