In Memory of Louie: Max's Marathon Challenge

This year, Max is taking on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon as part of his biggest fundraising challenge yet to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity.

In March of 2023, at only 18 years old, Max was told that his best friend Louie had taken ill and was in hospital.

"At 18 years old, nothing prepares you for moments like - that you don't know what to think, what to say, or how to process it."

It was only two days later that they were told that Louie wasn't going to make it, and he sadly passed away from an undetected brain tumour on the 6th of March.

"Grief at any age is incredibly hard. There's no rulebook, no set path, no guide on how to cope. But I knew one thing: I wanted to make a difference in Louie's memory. Fundraising became my way of doing that."

In October 2023, after starting university in Manchester, Max decided to run the Manchester Half Marathon. Many people went to support him, and he managed to raise over £4,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.

"After the success of that event, I wanted to keep going."

When August of 2024 came around, Max decided to organise a charity football event in his hometown of Shepshed, and raised a further £3,400.

"To have raised over £7,500 by the age of 20 in Louie's memory left me speechless."

Max took a break from fundraising to focus on his degree, and when graduating was awarded the Brownhill-Evans Memorial Award and the Community Impact Award from university.

"I have always said that I would be nowhere without my university friends. They have given me absolutely everything throughout my journey with grief, no matter what or when I needed them. They were always there, and I can't thank them enough, because none of this would be possible without them."

But this year, he needs everyone's support more than ever.

In 2026, Max will be running the Leeds and Manchester marathons within the space of three weeks, as well as continuing to run his charity football event in August.

"I am so excited to take on this challenge and raise even more money for the Brain Tumour Charity."

You can support Max in his fundraising efforts by visiting his JustGiving page, seen below.