A team of runners will take part in the London Marathon later this year in honour of, and inspired by, Sam Perkins who died from motor neurone disease (MND) in 2025.
Sam from Nottinghamshire was diagnosed with the terminal, neurological disease in 2019 aged just 37. Very early on Sam decided he wanted to make a difference and founded the charity Stand Against MND just nine months after being diagnosed.
In the years that followed, Sam did an incredible amount to fundraise and raise awareness of MND, taking part in some extraordinary challenges of his own. As a result, Stand Against MND donated more than £180,000 to the MND Association to fund vital research.
Now, as his family and friends mark the first anniversary of his death, a team of runners from Stand Against MND will continue Sam’s extraordinary legacy by taking part in the London Marathon in April to raise money for the MND Association.
Sam’s wife, Emma, said: “We are thrilled Team SAM will be raising funds for the MND Association by running the London Marathon. Team SAM consists of three familiar faces who have been involved in many of Sam’s previous challenges, Tom, Steph and Neil, and a new member to the team, Mandy. Sam’s purpose with these challenges was primarily to raise awareness and funds for MND research and care, but he was also passionate about inspiring others to challenge themselves.
“Sam passionately believed that MND isn’t incurable it is just underfunded. Stand Against MND shares that belief and is proud to have provided funding support to organisations such as the Motor Neurone Disease Association to help advance research into a cure and deliver much needed support and guidance to those affected by MND.”
Stand Against MND patron, Chrissie Wellington OBE, said: “There’s no better way to keep Sam’s memory alive, and to raise money for the MND Association, than to run the London Marathon, a race that was so close to his heart. I wish I could join the team of four fantastic runners, but an injury has sidelined me – at least for this year. I will be cheering for them every step of the way, filled with gratitude that they are doing this Memory Marathon in aid of such an important cause and to celebrate an incredible person.”
Every day in the UK six people are diagnosed with MND. The disease affects the brain and spinal cord and progress rapidly, leaving people unable to speak, eat or even breathe. There are no treatments or a cure.
The MND Association’s Sharon King who is supporting the team with its fundraising said working in partnership with other organisations was key to success in the fight against MND.
She said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sam and the team at Stand Against MND for everything they have done to support our work over the past five years. Thanks to them, the Association has been able to fund vital research projects which will help to accelerate progress.
“By taking part in the London Marathon in memory of Sam that partnership will continue helping to raise funds and awareness of a disease for which there are no effective treatments or a cure. To the MND community, every pound matters and will make a real difference.”
For more information, or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/team-sam-ldn-2026
Find more information about MND and the MND Association at mndassociation.org