Benji Wilkins, a 25-year-old from Chorley, Lancashire, has raised more than £60,000 after running 42 marathons in 42 consecutive days. The extraordinary feat saw him cover over 1,100 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End, making him one of only a handful of people to complete such a challenge. His motivation was personal: to give hope to his mother, Hannah, who lives with advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
A Son's Mission
Wilkins began his journey at the northernmost point of mainland Britain and ran a marathon every day, undeterred by injuries, exhaustion, and unpredictable weather including heatwaves. Thousands followed his progress online, with supporters joining him for sections of the route. The final finish line at Land's End marked the end of 42 days of relentless effort. "Crossing that finish line wasn't about me," said Wilkins. "It was about proving to my mum that she isn't fighting this disease on her own."
Hannah's Struggle with MS
Hannah was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2019 after more than a decade of worsening symptoms and repeated hospital visits. By the time she received a diagnosis, she had already lost much of her mobility. She now relies on a wheelchair full-time, lives with constant pain and fatigue, and is largely confined to the downstairs of her home. The family faces increasing financial pressure from specialist equipment, mobility aids, and home adaptations.
Marathons for Mum
Wilkins, who runs a magic tricks business, launched "Marathons for Mum" to raise funds for his mother's future care and to highlight the realities families face with progressive neurological conditions. He said: "People have called what I've done inspirational, but my mum is the inspirational one. She wakes up every day knowing she's going to struggle, yet she still puts everyone else first. Compared to that, running was the easy part."
Impact and Awareness
Although the challenge is over, Wilkins hopes its impact will continue by raising awareness of MS and funding treatment, mobility equipment, and home adaptations that could improve Hannah's quality of life. The fundraiser remains open for donations, and Wilkins encourages support through the official Marathons for Mum website and his social media channels.
