‘I’ve experienced the emotional side of an autoimmune disease diagnosis:’ London Marathon 2024 runner Will on running for Wren

London Marathon 2024 runner Will Pearson says he decided to fundraise for the Wren Project after “experiencing the emotional side of an autoimmune disease” diagnosis.

Will, who completed the epic 26.2 mile course on Sunday, April 21, said watching his mother receive a number of autoimmune disease diagnoses inspired him to fundraise for us.

”My mum is an amazing woman and she has a number of autoimmune diseases,” he told Wren.

”There are certain things she can’t do because of them; she gets really tired and can be in a lot of pain, but she just gets on with it.”

Despite not running regularly, Will said he was inspired to take on the challenge and fundraise for the Wren Project as he “loved the concept.”

”When I surprised my mum [with the news] that I was running the London Marathon, she was over the moon,” he told us.

”She said ‘it’s so nice that someone cares about what I’m going through on a daily basis.’”

Will, who admits he didn’t have ‘much of a training plan’ ahead of race day on April 21st, said he surprised himself on the day as he “never thought he could actually run a marathon.”

”I really only applied to get a place because my friends did - I never actually expected to get one,” he admitted. “I got arthritis in my feet when I was 14, and I [often suffer] with shin splints.

”I [started training] and doing a few half marathons. [On marathon day], I loved the first half, but shortly after seeing my mum and my girlfriend in the crowd it went downhill.

“I was in a lot of pain, but a lot of it was mental,” he explained. Will has so far raised over £1k for the Wren Project. We are so proud of you Will! Thank you so much for choosing to fundraise for us.

Are you inspired by Will and the other London Marathon runners? If you would like to fundraise for the Wren Project by signing up to a marathon, a sponsored walk, a coffee morning or something else - we would love to hear from you! Drop us a line here and tell us how you would like to support us with your fundraising opportunity.