A man from Bingley is set to take on the Great North Run in September to raise awareness and money to help beat a rare muscle-wasting condition that affects one of his close friends.

Will Pickles, a 38-year-old pensions investment consultant, has never run a half marathon before but is determined to make a positive difference in the life of his close friend Sean, who lives with a progressive muscle-wasting condition called Limb Girdle muscular dystrophy.

“I know the effect muscular dystrophy has on people. That's why I'm going to run the 2022 Great North Run,” Will said.

“I've known Sean for over eight years now, but I feel like we have been friends much longer. Even in the short time I have known Sean, his life has changed massively because of his condition, especially over the last few years as his condition has gotten worse. It impacts almost every aspect of his life,” he added.

The condition generally causes muscle-wasting and weakening in the shoulder and pelvic girdle area.

Will hopes to raise more than £750 for Muscular Dystrophy UK to help fund the charity’s vital research to develop treatments – and ultimately a cure – for muscle-wasting conditions, like Sean’s.

The two friends met through Will’s wife Kirsty’s best friend, Katie, who is married to Sean. Katie was a bridesmaid when Will and Kirsty got married 20 years ago and the four have remained close friends and will be cheering him on race day.

Will added: “I’ve been meaning to The Great North Run for 20 years! I studied at university in Newcastle and every year, near the start of term, we would watch the GNR set off and I always thought ‘I would love to do that.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the last couple of miles where you run slightly downhill to the coast in South Shields. I imagine the crowds are amazing! That will be particularly special for me as my grandad was from South Shields,

“Sean was overjoyed when I told him I was 100% doing the run. He says that even the smallest amount of fundraising has a direct impact on the lives of people living with muscle-wasting conditions,” he added.

The Great North Run takes place on Sunday, 11 September, in Newcastle. Will will be one of 115 runners wearing Muscular Dystrophy UK’s #TeamOrange colours. 

You can support Will’s fundraiser here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GNR22MDUK-WillPickles