MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION | MND Association

Donald's Page

Donald Ward

Donald Ward

My Story

I'm running the London Marathon for my Dad - and for everyone affected by MND

This year, I’m proud (and a bit terrified!) to be running the 2026 TCS London Marathon in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) - a cause that means everything to me.

On 12th March 2026, I lost my dad, Michael Ward, after his battle with motor neurone disease.

Over the past months, I saw first-hand what this brutal disease does. MND takes away movement, speech, and independence - but it never takes away dignity, love, or spirit. Even as things became harder, my dad faced it with incredible strength, humour and resilience. Watching that has changed how I see everything.

In the final stages, the simplest things became the hardest - and yet his mindset never wavered. That’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

I started this marathon journey while he was still with us, hoping to do something positive alongside everything we were going through. Now, I’m finishing it for him - to honour what he went through, to support other families facing this, and to try and make a difference in however small a way I can.

🏃‍♂️ Why I'm Running

Because people with MND deserve:

  • Faster diagnosis
  • Better support and care
  • Real hope through research

And because families like mine shouldn’t face this alone.

The MNDA has been there for the family and they are fighting every day to improve lives, raise awareness, and fund breakthroughs that could one day lead to a cure. But they rely on donations to keep going.

💥 My target is to raise £20,000

It’s ambitious. But this cause deserves it, and I believe we can get there. Every pound donated will:

  • Help families receive the support they need
  • Fund specialist care and mobility equipment
  • Drive life-saving MND research forward

Your donation, however big or small, makes a real impact. And for me personally, it’s a huge show of support for my family and this journey.

🧡 Thank you

If you’ve read this far - thank you. If you donate - thank you even more. And if you can’t donate but can share the page, cheer me on, or just send good thoughts, that means the world too.

Let’s do something powerful together.
Let’s run for those who can’t.

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION | MND Association

Raising for:

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION | MND Association
103%

Funded

  • Target
    £20K
  • Raised so far
    £20.6K
  • Number of donors
    132

My Story

I'm running the London Marathon for my Dad - and for everyone affected by MND

This year, I’m proud (and a bit terrified!) to be running the 2026 TCS London Marathon in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) - a cause that means everything to me.

On 12th March 2026, I lost my dad, Michael Ward, after his battle with motor neurone disease.

Over the past months, I saw first-hand what this brutal disease does. MND takes away movement, speech, and independence - but it never takes away dignity, love, or spirit. Even as things became harder, my dad faced it with incredible strength, humour and resilience. Watching that has changed how I see everything.

In the final stages, the simplest things became the hardest - and yet his mindset never wavered. That’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

I started this marathon journey while he was still with us, hoping to do something positive alongside everything we were going through. Now, I’m finishing it for him - to honour what he went through, to support other families facing this, and to try and make a difference in however small a way I can.

🏃‍♂️ Why I'm Running

Because people with MND deserve:

  • Faster diagnosis
  • Better support and care
  • Real hope through research

And because families like mine shouldn’t face this alone.

The MNDA has been there for the family and they are fighting every day to improve lives, raise awareness, and fund breakthroughs that could one day lead to a cure. But they rely on donations to keep going.

💥 My target is to raise £20,000

It’s ambitious. But this cause deserves it, and I believe we can get there. Every pound donated will:

  • Help families receive the support they need
  • Fund specialist care and mobility equipment
  • Drive life-saving MND research forward

Your donation, however big or small, makes a real impact. And for me personally, it’s a huge show of support for my family and this journey.

🧡 Thank you

If you’ve read this far - thank you. If you donate - thank you even more. And if you can’t donate but can share the page, cheer me on, or just send good thoughts, that means the world too.

Let’s do something powerful together.
Let’s run for those who can’t.