Yesterday, like 20,000 others, my brother completed the London Marathon. Taking to the streets of the big city, after 3 weeks of no practise following an ankle injury, Edd Gould powered through, finishing in 4 hours 28 minutes.
I can’t even imagine the endurance both physically and emotionally that is required to not only run 26 miles but to run with an injury that began to resurface at mile 2! But, I think Edd’s determination had something to do with the great cause he was running for – knowing that if he completed this giant task, he would be raising more than £1000 for Motor Neurone Disease, a cause so close to the hearts of our family.
As explained by the MND Association, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.
Having witnessed these devastating effects first-hand when our uncle was diagnosed with the disease in 2000, eventually losing his mobility (but amazingly not his spirits) and passing away on New Years Eve soon after his 50th birthday in 2005, I am extremely proud that my brother has completed this mammoth task in his memory.
Needless to say, as the image above suggests… I don’t think he’ll be doing it again!!!!
A big congratulations to Edd from the Petersens team!
For more information on Motor Neurone Disease, visit: http://www.mndassociation.org