Brighton Marathon 2024 - Oddballs, MND & TSCT

A mid summer and slightly intoxicated decision to run the 2024 Brighton Marathon is now feeling very real. With training in full swing the six of us would like to use the event as an opportunity to raise some money for the following three charities:

The Oddballs Foundation: A charity set up to raise awareness of Testicular Cancer. It promotes an ambassador scheme reminding people to examine themselves and removing the stigma around this. Testicular cancer is 95% curable if diagnosed early, making self examination very important.

MND Association: Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive disease affecting the function of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It results in muscles weakening which can lead to the inability to walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. MND is life shortening with no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to achieve a better quality of life. The MND association works tirelessly support patients with home adjustments, equipment, physiotherapy and communicational aids to help them live with the disease.

The Sick Children’s Trust: A charity that provides a welcoming ‘home from home’ for families with a sick child in hospital. Without this charity families would have to travel long distances, sleep in uncomfortable chairs and pay for expensive hotels to be by their sick child’s bedside. In doing so they alleviate financial pressures and additional stress on families of sick children. The Sick Children’s trust support hospitals in London, Cambridge, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle.

If anyone could spare a donation to these excellent causes it would be greatly appreciated. We will keep you posted on our training, the countdown to April the 7th is on!

Running we have:

Charles Mallett

Lewis Brennan

Dave Hawes

Sam Hawes

Lewis Crow

Liam Jones

A bit about the boys!

Charles Mallett

Age: 23

Reason running the marathon: While demolishing my 6th pizza in Italy, the boys came calling with a new challenge, whilst being full of cheesy goodness I decided the challenge was probably for the best - the big rig is rolling!

Fun fact: Prone to suffering from knee dislocations, a marathon shouldn’t be too hard!

What your charity means for you: The oddballs foundation is spreading a lot of awareness for men of all ages to get examined if you are concerned. The charity removes the stigma and due to this it is saving lives around the country. If In doubt, get it checked out.

Who do you want to beat: ‘Sam Hawes’

Lewis Brennan

Age: 23

Reason running the marathon: Good excuse to buy some expensive bright trainers right?

Fun fact: half my day job is helping runners with injuries, half my spare time is giving these boys advice on theirs.

What your charity means for you: What your charity means for you: The Sick Children’s Trust have been extremely helpful and continue to support my family. Their work has made a very challenging situation much more manageable.

I have witnessed the amazing work they do and I would love to give something back to this charity.

Who do you want to beat: ‘I don’t care mate as long as we all finish’

Liam Jones

Age: 24

Reason running the marathon: I am a culprit of being slightly intoxicated when signing up for the marathon, however it’s a great chance to challenge myself and raise some money for some good charities.

Fun fact: I dislike running.

What your charity means for you: I am running primarily for Odd Balls Foundation, who are a great foundation aimed at men’s health. MND & The Sick Children’s trust are also brilliant charities, who some members of our group have witnessed their amazing work first hand. Any money given would be hugely appreciated by myself, the group, and the charities. Thank you.

Who do you want to beat: Everyone

Lewis Crow

Age: 23

Reason running the marathon: I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run alongside the legendary athlete, David Hawes.

Fun Fact: Scientists estimate that drag from the moustache will add 10 minutes to my race time.

What your charity means for you:

The Oddballs Foundation is actively raising awareness among men of all age groups, encouraging them to undergo examinations if they have any concerns. The charity encourages men to find if anything is wrong early, which helps to prevent needless deaths.

Who do you want to beat: Dave Hawes.

Sam Hawes

Age: 23

Reason running the marathon: rig reduction

Fun fact: founding member of the Danny Cowley fan club

What your charity means for you: the three charities we have picked to raise for are all outstanding in their own ways - men’s health is always something we should be conscious of and actively encouraging men to check themselves is so vital to aiding overall survival rates. MND UK do fantastic work helping people to provide quality of life to those with an awful degenerative disease, and the Sick Children’s Trust do great work locally to ensure families can stay close to their sick children and provide support to them.

Who do I want to beat: anyone dressed as a shrimp

UP THE BOYS!