10-Year-Old Braves Storms to Run 31 Miles for MND Research

Ten-year-old Oscar Asquith completed a remarkable challenge last month, running one mile every day through hail, rain, snow and gales to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research in memory of his great uncle Ron.

The Diggle CE primary school pupil, who finds running particularly difficult, dedicated each of his 31 runs to Ron Asquith, a former woodwork master at Saddleworth School who died from MND more than 15 years ago. His mother Michelle watched proudly as he completed the daily mile from school to home throughout January.

What began as a modest £150 fundraising target has now exceeded £1,700, far surpassing the family’s expectations. The challenge held special significance for Oscar, who had received treatment for iron deficiency the previous summer that left his energy levels severely depleted.

National MND fundraising icon Kevin Sinfield CBE sent Oscar a personal video message praising his efforts: “Well done and congrats on running every day this month on behalf of you great uncle Ron. I’m sure he’ll be unbelievably proud of you. And all the MND community will be proud of everything you’ve done. Keep going, not long to go now and I hope you smash your target.”

The entire school community rallied behind Oscar for his final run, with pupils and teachers cheering him on as he crossed the symbolic finish line. “The noise was incredible,” said Michelle, who described her son as primarily a golfer rather than a runner. Oscar, who has played golf since age two, also represents Uppermill football club and Greenfield cricket club.

The family remembered Ron as “kind, unassuming and gentle,” noting that when he died in his 60s, few people had heard of MND. “We, as a family, are proud the charity are striving to find a cure,” Michelle added.

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