I’m running my first ever marathon – and I’m terrified.

Up until March 2025, I wasn’t a runner. Training has been a huge challenge – physically and mentally – and on 21st September 2025, I’ll be taking on the Berlin Marathon, one of the six major world marathons.

Alongside this personal challenge, I’m raising money for the PolG Foundation, a non-profit funding vital research into a rare and devastating disease called POLG mitochondrial disorder.

POLG is a genetic disease that affects the mitochondria – the energy producers in our cells – gradually shutting down the body’s ability to function. It leads to progressive organ failure, including the brain, liver, and muscles. There is no cure. It’s difficult to diagnose, often misunderstood, and dangerously underfunded.

Despite its rarity, research into POLG could also unlock breakthroughs for far more common illnesses like Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, diabetes, and certain cancers.

The PolG Foundation was co-founded by a young man named Frederik, who lived with the disease and helped launch the charity to support others like him. Frederik passed away earlier this year on Rare Disease Day. He was – and continues to be – a hero to many, and his legacy drives this work forward.

➡️ Any donation – big or small – will directly support research, improve diagnosis, and bring hope to families affected by POLG.

Sharing this page also goes a long way in spreading awareness.

To learn more, visit: the PolG Foundation’s website HERE

Watch the film HERE: