Why take on a challenge for Scope?

Running, swimming and cycling are fantastic ways to keep fit. Taking part in events gives you a fantastic feeling and makes all the training worthwhile. If you add fundraising into this mix, you get a whole experience that you will want to repeat again and again!

Jonathan and his sister Michelle raised funds for Scope by taking part in this year's Great Manchester Run. Jonathan chose to run as his son wanted to share the experience with his dad having previously seen him being interviewed on the television at the London Marathon.

Why did you run for Scope and how did you fundraise?

It was an easy decision to run for Scope as our first child Alexander was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 13 months old.

I used the Virgin Money Giving site to fundraise. It is easy to set up a personalised page for your running cause. Running with my sister has enabled us to combine our fundraising efforts and also get a workplace to do donation matching, but by advertising our page on Facebook, getting email communications sent out at work and also using the 'old-fashioned’ sponsorship form we aim to smash our target.

Did you enjoy the experience of training for and running the Great Manchester Run?

It was hard training alone, however with help of websites like Take To The Streets it was easy to create a training schedule suitable for my beginning needs.

The run itself was fantastic. It was a perfect day and the crowds were out in force all along the course. Also running with my sister just added to the occasion as we both pushed each other on. We noticed Scope supporters on route too which encouraged us to the finish line.

Did you enjoy running for Scope?

Yes, as you can imagine Alex has since spent a lot of time being poked and prodded by a range of specialists but has remained resilient throughout. He has shown strength of character that has made us so proud. We are determined that Alex’s physical disability will not hold him back in life and, with the help and support of charities like Scope, we believe we can achieve this.

The best thing was been able to meet with up with my wife just before the finish and complete the last 500 metres with Alex on top of my shoulders.

Would you run for Scope again?

Most definitely YES!

If Jonathan's story has inspired you why not take part in one of Scope's fantastic events?

Run this incredible event - Great Manchester Run