An amateur rugby captain will heroically run the London Marathon in support of his brother living with muscular dystrophy.

Harry Bassett, 26, who was born in Worcester and grew up in Dunhampstead, will take on the daunting 26.2-mile challenge on Sunday, 21 April, to raise funds for charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Bassett, who captains Honourable Artillery Company RFC, was inspired to participate in the marathon by his younger brother Tom, 25, who was diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a genetic muscle wasting condition, when he was 14 years old.

 

 

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As a result, everyday tasks have become increasingly challenging for him as the years have passed.

Running his first marathon, Harry, who now resides in Fulham, aims to complete the race in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Motivated by love and admiration for his brother, Bassett said: "Tom is exceptional.

"It’s in his character – he just gets on with things.

"So, I’m running this marathon for him and Muscular Dystrophy UK with the hope that ongoing research into an effective treatment is successful soon.

"It’s the least I can do to help support a truly special person who I’m lucky to call my brother and best friend."

So far, Bassett has raised over 75 per cent of his £2,500 target.

For each £1 he raises, Brit Insurance, his employer, will contribute £2, which could potentially raise his fundraising total as high as £7,500.

Beyond raising funds, Bassett sees the marathon as an opportunity to increase awareness of muscular dystrophy and the work of Muscular Dystrophy UK.

He said: "It’s my hope that through sharing our family’s experience, more and more people can understand what muscular dystrophy is.

"Muscular dystrophy affects over 110,000 people in the UK and Muscular Dystrophy UK does brilliant work to support individuals and families.

"As well as raising awareness, I want to raise as much as I can for the charity to help fund research into treatments.

"Not only to help Tom, but others living with the condition."

To learn more about Muscular Dystrophy UK, visit www.musculardystrophyuk.org.