Steven is taking on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon for his mum and dad

Meet Steven. He is running the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in partnership with Clarion and raising money for MND Scotland.

Steven’s mum, Barbara, passed away on the 9th of February 2024. She was 70 and had been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) only 8 months previously.

After she experienced some challenges with her memory and anxiety in her late 60s, she went for various tests and was originally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in June 2023. Barbara took up residence in a local care home in Glasgow in April 2024 following Steven’s Dad’s sudden death from heart complications. It was during her initial time there that a Neurologist appointment revealed she had frontotemporal Dementia, which carried with it MND.

The last year has been a very challenging time for Steven and his extended family. They have had to watch the impact of MND on both parents (both individually and collectively) and witnessed his Mum go through this rapidly progressing terminal illness, experiencing the pain it caused both her and all her loved ones. It’s a cruel disease and nothing prepares you for it.

In memory of both my Mum and Dad, Steven and his brother are raising money for MND Scotland by doing various cycling and running challenges in the month of May, of which the Leeds Marathon is one. MND Scotland funds ground-breaking research to bring us closer to finding a cure and campaigns for lasting change. When time matters most, they are also a helping hand of support.

Steven said, “I’m looking forward to coming to Leeds on the 11th May to run the marathon. I’ve spent a lot of time in Leeds over the years on my career journey and remember many a Friday night watching Rob Burrows and Kevin Sinfield playing for Leeds Rhinos. With the marathon being a focal point for Rob and Kevin, MND and Leeds itself, it felt like a great opportunity to take part and raise money for a great cause whilst remembering my parents.”