Jen's running the marathon!
Jennifer Longden
My Story
After 17 years of crossing my fingers, praying to the marathon gods, and trying every good-luck charm under the sun, I've finally bagged a place in the London Marathon. If only they'd let me in back when I was still the sprightly 20-something. You know, the one who could run in stilettos, pull a shift at The Dog House Pub, party till dawn, and still have the energy of a Duracell bunny. But alas, fate had other plans, and here I am in 2025—having just turned 40 and carrying a bit more "timber" than I'd like—taking on this epic challenge.
I’m not just running for the sake of running; I’m running for something that means the world to me: raising money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This cruel disease stole my Grandad when he was just 54, leaving a lasting impact on my family. In the last year alone, two dear friends have also lost loved ones to MND—a disease that, heartbreakingly, has seen little progress in treatment or cure since my Grandad passed in 1977. While choosing a charity to run for, it struck me how underrepresented MND still is in terms of awareness and funding. It’s time to change that.
Your support—whether as a donation or just a cheery "Keep going, our Jen!"—will mean the world to me. As you’re enjoying your Sunday morning lie-in while I’m battling wind, rain, and my own stubborn legs, know that your encouragement will keep me going. Let’s make those miles count—not just for me, but for everyone fighting the devastating reality of MND. Thank you. 💙
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I am supporting the fight against motor neurone disease by taking part in the 2025 London Marathon!
MND is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.
It can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.
Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.
We need your support.
£120 could provide an overbed table, making it easier for someone with MND to eat, drink and read safely and comfortably in bed
£280 could fund the coordination of care for someone with MND at a Care Centre for a year
£500 could provide a tablet device with specialist communication software, allowing someone to communicate with loved ones
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Target
£2,000
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Raised so far
£3,488
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Number of donors
82
My Story
After 17 years of crossing my fingers, praying to the marathon gods, and trying every good-luck charm under the sun, I've finally bagged a place in the London Marathon. If only they'd let me in back when I was still the sprightly 20-something. You know, the one who could run in stilettos, pull a shift at The Dog House Pub, party till dawn, and still have the energy of a Duracell bunny. But alas, fate had other plans, and here I am in 2025—having just turned 40 and carrying a bit more "timber" than I'd like—taking on this epic challenge.
I’m not just running for the sake of running; I’m running for something that means the world to me: raising money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND). This cruel disease stole my Grandad when he was just 54, leaving a lasting impact on my family. In the last year alone, two dear friends have also lost loved ones to MND—a disease that, heartbreakingly, has seen little progress in treatment or cure since my Grandad passed in 1977. While choosing a charity to run for, it struck me how underrepresented MND still is in terms of awareness and funding. It’s time to change that.
Your support—whether as a donation or just a cheery "Keep going, our Jen!"—will mean the world to me. As you’re enjoying your Sunday morning lie-in while I’m battling wind, rain, and my own stubborn legs, know that your encouragement will keep me going. Let’s make those miles count—not just for me, but for everyone fighting the devastating reality of MND. Thank you. 💙
************************
I am supporting the fight against motor neurone disease by taking part in the 2025 London Marathon!
MND is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.
It can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.
Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help you achieve the best possible quality of life.
We need your support.
£120 could provide an overbed table, making it easier for someone with MND to eat, drink and read safely and comfortably in bed
£280 could fund the coordination of care for someone with MND at a Care Centre for a year
£500 could provide a tablet device with specialist communication software, allowing someone to communicate with loved ones
