A 25-year-old amateur runner is preparing to run 42 marathons in 42 consecutive days across the length of Britain in a bid to help his mum regain independence after advanced MS left her wheelchair dependent.

Benji Wilkins from Chorley will run more than 1,100 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End in an extraordinary endurance challenge called ‘Marathons for Mum’ to fund vital treatment and support for his mum, Hannah.

Hannah was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2019, after over a decade of various hospital visits and progressive symptoms.

Despite years of worsening symptoms, Hannah was unable to access treatment without a formal diagnosis. By this time, she had lost most of her mobility and was completely dependent on using a wheelchair.

She now needs to be lifted into her chair and experiences weakness, stiffness, intense pain, and fatigue most of the day. Simple tasks that take most people minutes can take her hours to complete. She spends most of her life at home, downstairs.
“Despite all she is going through, my mum takes her responsibility in the home seriously and has always been the best mum any of us could ask for,” Benji explains.

Despite having no elite athletic background, he says the challenge is driven by determination rather than sporting pedigree.

“I’m not an elite athlete,” he says. “What I am is stubborn. This challenge is about showing my mum that she’s not facing this alone.”

Benji, who runs a company selling magic tricks, wants to raise funds to ensure Hannah can finally put her own health first.

“The treatments and therapies she needs are expensive – and this money will help her access the care she deserves.”
The funds raised will go directly toward helping Hannah access therapies, treatments and support that are not fully available through standard care pathways.

Explaining the scale of the fundraising target, Benji says: “As mum’s condition progresses, there’s a real possibility the NHS will no longer provide Disease Modifying Treatments, meaning private care could become essential.

“These treatments can help slow the progression of MS and improve quality of life, but they can cost.

“Powered walking aids and advanced wheelchairs could also make a life-changing difference to her independence, while home adaptations could help her move safely and more easily around the house.”

Alongside the fundraising effort, the campaign is also aiming to raise awareness of the realities faced by families living with progressive neurological disease and the emotional toll long diagnosis delays can have.

Benji will begin the challenge on Monday 1 June, documenting every mile online as supporters across the country follow his journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

To support the challenge or find out more, visit https://marathonsformum.com/
or follow @benjitwilkins on social media