Team Baker Takes on Leeds Marathon for MND

Team Baker is taking part in this year's Rob Burrow Marathon to raise money for the MND Association after husband and dad David was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2023.

A talented runner from childhood, David had always loved running alongside his other sporting passion, football. After retiring from football at 45 returned to competitive running, with his wife Alice describing it as "his lifelong passion", and daughter Anna recalling many a cold and wet morning at park runs.

Having run many marathons himself, David and Alice recall watching the infamous scene of Kevin Sinfield carrying Rob Burrow across the finish line for MND at the first Leeds Marathon in May of 2023. Little did they know that, only two months later, David would be diagnosed with the same condition.

When his MND began to worsen, the family wanted to keep David as involved in the sport as possible, so, with the help of charity grants, they were able to buy a specialised running chair. 

"This opened up new opportunities to us, not only to run together, but also to raise awareness of MND, assisted running, and inclusion in sports for disabled people."

Alice has pushed David around the Great Bristol Run, the Great Scottish Run, and the Eastleigh 10K, among numerous other races and park runs, all while wearing the slogan 'pushing against MND'.

After finding out about the diagnosis, David's youngest daughter Anna also put on her running shoes to make a difference, and took part in the Brighton half marathon, raising over £1,000 for the MNDA.

"When we heard about his diagnosis, I had never felt so helpless...The only thing I could think about doing raising money for the MNDA, and I could do that through running."

Last year, Team Baker (consisting of Alice, David, daughter Anna, and friends Andy and Martin) were able to secure a place in the London Marathon for the MNDA. They have since raised an impressive £13,500 by hosting various events and fundraisers.

This May, the team will be taking on the Leeds Marathon to raise even more funds for the MNDA.

Alice says:

"David always had his sights set on the Rob Burrow Marathon and finally convinced me to take it on with two of the original team members, Anna and Andy. We know it is a challenging and hilly course, but we are determined to complete it together, showcase assisted running, promote inclusion in sports for disabled people, and have lots of fun in the process."

You can take a look at David's blog. 'MND can get in the Sea', where he talks about his life with MND, and also visit the team's JustGiving page to help towards their fundraising efforts.