The 37-year-old from Brackley is still planning on racking up the miles for the charity, which was there for his family when five-year-old nephew Sydney was diagnosed with congenital myotonic dystrophy.
On 13 September – when this year’s Great North Run was due to take place – Mike will run the 20-plus miles from his home to his place of work, Coop Food in Bletchingdon, where he will be cheered on by friends and colleagues over the finish line.
He says:
I know this must be a really tough time for charities like Muscular Dystrophy UK, and I want to help as best as I can so the charity can continue to support families like my brother’s.
Through doing this challenge, I hope to raise more awareness locally and further afield, if possible, of the different types of muscular dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy UK was there when Sydney was diagnosed with the condition and continues to provide support. Mike adds:
“It feels more important than ever to raise funds for charity when so many traditional fundraising events are being cancelled. The need for charities like Muscular Dystrophy UK are arguably greater than ever.
Sydney copes incredibly well with his condition, although struggles with clarity of speech and is behind his peers in terms of development. But in many ways he’s just a normal kid and is an incredibly energetic little man. His favourite things are trains, dinosaurs, spaceships and rockets. He also loves pirates – at the moment he particularly likes ‘walking the plank’!
Mike has been training hard for his challenge. He explains:
I estimated it would be around 16 miles at first, but having now worked out the actual route I need to take it’s just over 20 miles. I’ve had to allow for detours as my 12-mile commute is along the A43 trunk road, which is not so good for running!
He adds:
I’m disappointed the Great North Run isn’t going ahead, but I’ll be back in the North East one day to take it on. They can’t get rid of me that easily! It’s going to be a real challenge, but my friends, family and work colleagues have been brilliant. One of the good things to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the way it has brought communities together, and I know there will be a lot of support.
By supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK, Mike is making a huge impact and helping to ensure that the charity is able to continue its vital work supporting individuals and families living with muscle-wasting conditions.
Kiera Santry, Challenge Events Officer at Muscular Dystrophy UK, says:
We’re so grateful to Mike for taking on this amazing challenge, which will help us to continue supporting people with muscle-wasting conditions like Sydney. Running a half marathon is hard enough, let alone adding several miles and doing it by yourself! Charities like ours are needed now more than ever, and Mike’s support means so much to us. We wish him the best of luck with his challenge, and can’t wait to hear about it afterwards.
If you have been inspired by Mike’s story and would like to take on your own challenge in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK, email events@musculardystrophyuk.org.
- Sponsor Mike at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-seaton5
