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Side by Side: Running Together for Action Duchenne – your invitation

Our NEW fundraising challenge for Action Duchenne celebrates all that we are; creating a community to face the challenge together. Taking part in ‘Side by Side’ is about so much more than finishing a race – it’s about a future where EVERY family receives support EVERY time. 

From within in our community

Duchenne dad and London Marathon 2026 runner, Ben Dolling has decided to set himself the ultimate challenge. Not happy with simply running the London Marathon (and raising over £8000 in the process!) Ben has set himself the challenge of running 25 half marathons across the globe – from Mumbai to Manchester and Stratford upon Avon to Shanghai. All to mark 25 years of the support Action Duchenne has provided to families across the UK.

And Ben is inviting the Duchenne Community to come on this journey with him. 

Starting in Brighton on Rare Disease Day, 28th February 2027, and finishing in September 2028 Ben will be taking part in half marathons up and down the UK including Manchester, Bath, Glasgow, Brighton and Derby (amongst others) and is looking for others to take on a challenge and to join him along the way.  

“Running has helped me cope with Harry’s diagnosis in ways that I wasn’t expecting. It gives me time and space to make sense of thoughts and feelings that might otherwise feel overwhelming. The connections I have made with other people on their Duchenne journey has given me a community I didn’t know I needed and it would be wonderful to meet more families and make even more connections and support Action Duchenne in the process.” Ben Dolling

Wherever you are in the UK Ben will be running a half marathon near you and is inviting you to join him in the race or come to cheer him or meet up with him and his family for coffee and that all important connection.   

“I had never met these fellow runners before but I feel that we now have a lifelong friendship ahead of us and each of us have our own personal experience of Duchenne. All of a sudden you’ve got this family you never knew you had” Louise Ruddick, London Marathon 2026 Runner 

There is real strength to be found together, wherever you are on your Duchenne journey. 

Help us provide a lifeline on the darkest days

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to think that as a community we could raise £25,000 for Action Duchenne in its 25th year. As one dad on my own I couldn’t dream of raising such a huge amount, but if there is anything being part of the Duchenne community has taught me it is that that we can achieve things together that none of us could achieve alone.” Ben Dolling

Not only is Ben trying to raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy he is also aiming to raise as much as he can so that Action Duchenne can support other families. 

“Making contact with Action Duchenne provided a lifeline. They understood, they were living our experience too and they helped us find hope and positivity. They were there for us when we needed them and have introduced us to the Duchenne community.” Ben Dolling

We would love to raise £25,000 to mark 25 years of Action Duchenne. This amazing amount could fund a part-time Support Officer role. Our support officers are the first people families speak to when they contact Action Duchenne and are there to support families throughout their entire journey. They provide a listening ear, practical support and signposting for families, facilitating peer support through online and local meet ups and residentials for our boys. Many have lived experience and understand exactly what families are going through.

Susie Croft, Director of Action Duchenne said:
“For a charity of our size, which doesn’t receive a penny from the government or NHS we are extremely grateful to our supporters who go above and beyond to ensure that we can be there for families. If it wasn’t for our fundraisers like Ben – who is a true inspiration to everyone who meets him – we simply could not support our families in the way we do. I would urge the Duchenne community to come together and get behind Ben’s challenge – be that take on one of the half marathons and joining ‘Team Action Duchenne’, sponsoring Ben and the team, spreading the word to friends and families or going along to cheer Ben and the team at a race near you.”

Be Part Of Something Amazing 

That’s why you’re invited to be part of our community running together, side by side for Action Duchenne. You can be part of our team in any way that works for you:  

  • Join one of the runs on Ben’s 25 half marathon challenge 
  • Be part of the Action Duchenne cheer team on a run near you 
  • Spread the word with your friends, family and work colleagues – we need as many people as possible to help us reach our goal 
  • Sponsor our team to help us reach our fundraising target 

Choose a run:

Have a look at the dates and locations and how to sign up for the runs. We’ll be adding to these as we go so if there isn’t one in your area yet, please keep checking!  

Side by Side Map

Join the team

Add your Fundraising Page to our team page, and you’ll be part of our campaign to raise £25,000 for Action Duchenne, Side by Side. 

If you’ve got any questions at all, please get in touch with our Fundraising Officer: Victoria.Edwards@actionduchenne.org

Find out more about our ongoing work, in-person events and how you can get involved in our monthly newsletter.

We can support you and your family wherever you are in your journey. If you’d like one of our Support Team to contact you, let us know here and we will be in touch. You can also find out more about our monthly support groups.

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