In Manchester, at 8am this morning, former soldier Darren Hardy’s money-raising mission to run 10 marathons in 100 hours began.

Darren, who was medically discharged with PTSD after 15 years of service, has been warned by experts that this challenge will take more than six months to recover from. But his resolve is ferocious, and the reason behind his efforts to raise money is stronger still.

The 36-year-old from Fleet is set to visit Oxford Biotech company SynaptixBio this Friday, as a planned stop-off on his running journey, which will ultimately end in London. Darren will be meeting with founder and CEO of SynaptixBio Dan Williams during his visit, with the aim of learning more about the ongoing work to find a cure for a rare brain disease which inspired his feat of endurance. If everything goes to plan, Darren is predicted to arrive in Oxford at 12pm on Friday, 8th April.

The former military man was driven to this challenge by a combination of friendship and loyalty, and a deep desire to combat one of life’s many injustices. He is putting his body through this challenge to raise money for 13-year-old Aggie Candy-Waters, who suffers from the neurodegenerative condition in question, namely H-ABC, a severe form of TUBB4a leukodystrophy.

Darren said: “I got to know Aggie and her family last year, and we formed a deep bond,” Hardy said. “I felt angry and frustrated that more couldn’t be done. The injustice of her condition and the lack of a treatment just hit home.

“That’s when I found there was hope. There were people around the world working on a treatment, but there just wasn’t the funding to complete it. Ever since then I’ve done whatever I can to help – even putting my body on the line.

“A massive part of the motivation to get to the finish line is the knowledge that every step I take is helping Aggie and children like her live a longer, more fulfilled life.” 

For Aggie, and thousands of others who suffer from H-ABC, a treatment is possible. However, without vital fundraising efforts from heroes like Darren, there stands a chance that medications under development will not be ready in time.  

Suffice to say, Aggie’s parents are extremely warmed by Darren’s taking on of this challenge. Aggie’s mum, Ali Candy-Waters, said: “Darren is a modern-day superhero. He’s willing to risk his own health and push his body to the absolute limit – all to help our little girl. We really can’t thank him enough, and hope that the country gets behind him.”

 

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