Always on
This project successfully funded on 12th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Help Us Get Rob to the Start Line In Leeds
Macclesfield, England, United Kingdom
Aim
MND ended Rob's chance to run another marathon. Help us buy a chair to push him round the Leeds Marathon and give others the chance too.
Three friends — Rob Hasler, Paul Sharp and Alex Wright — are connected by a shared love of running. On 10 May 2026, we want to take part in the Leeds Marathon together.
But this marathon is about far more than a finish time.
In October 2024, Rob was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Just six months earlier, in April 2024, Rob ran the fastest marathon of his life — a phenomenal sub-3 hour marathon.
Running has always been a huge part of our friendship. When Rob was diagnosed, we knew we wanted to find a way to still get out on the road together.
Our plan was simple: hire a specialist running chair so Rob could take part in the marathon while Paul and Alex pushed.
Unfortunately, despite trying everything we could, we have not been able to hire one.
So we’re doing the only thing we can: trying to buy one ourselves.
Why This Chair Matters
Buying a specialist running chair will allow the three of us to take part in the Leeds Marathon together, sharing the experience we love — running side by side and hearing the crowds cheering us on.
But this chair will be about much more than one race.
After Leeds, we want this chair to become part of Rob’s legacy.
We will make it available to other disabled or terminally ill people who want the chance to take part in a running event but don’t have the equipment to do so.
And if someone doesn’t have people to push them?
We’ll help with that too.
Everyone deserves the chance to experience the energy, joy and community of a running event.
Why This Means So Much to Me
In April 2025, I ran 238 miles from Macclesfield to London, pushing a buggy containing food, clothes and camping equipment before running the London Marathon. Marathon Interview on the BBC
That challenge was to raise money for the Manchester charity Coffee4Craig, who support people experiencing street homelessness. Together we raised over £20,000.
That experience completely changed how I think about running.
Instead of chasing personal bests, I realised that running can be used to do something much bigger.
What Your Support Will Do
Your support will help us:
- Purchase a specialist running chair
- Enable Rob to take part in the Leeds Marathon
- Create a lasting legacy where others can use the chair to take part in events
- Offer support and runners to push participants who don’t have their own team
The Goal
Our goal is simple:
Get Rob to the start line.
To give three friends the chance to take part in a running event together.
And to make sure that in the future, many more people can experience the joy of taking part in a running event, regardless of disability or illness.
If you can support us — whether by donating or sharing — it will be the start of something very special.
Thank you.
Alex, Paul & Rob
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made