Sergeant Owen Jones and PC Zoe Pell raise money for the MS Society in the May 50K.
A police officer running 50km in May after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) says if his challenge can help one person ‘it will be worth it’.
Sergeant Owen Jones, a Cambridgeshire Police Federation member, has thanked people for their support as he takes part in May 50K with his fiancée, PC Zoe Pell, for the MS Society.
Supporters include his childhood best friend’s mum, who Owen had not spoken to in more than 20 years.
She contacted him this week to tell him she also has MS and now struggles to even walk, and is following his progress on the challenge.
Owen, who was diagnosed with MS last year, said: “It’s opened up a channel of communication with people who inspire me to keep doing this and fighting for normality every day.
“When people who suffer far more than I do feel inspired and invested in us because of our efforts it means everything.
“If I can just help some people understand and make life a little easier for someone else then it will be worth it.”
The May 50K sees participants walk, run or roll 50km in May while raising money for life-changing MS research and improved support and access to treatments.
Owen and Zoe have reached the mid-point in their challenge. Owen aims to run 50km and Zoe is targeting 100km during the month. So far they have completed 85km and have raised more than £1,100.
Owen admitted the challenge has been tough at times, particularly during the recent spell of warm weather.
He said: “Running has been tough with shifts all over the place, as well as making time for my nine-year-old son.
“He is my priority but even he wants to help us run and is determined to run with us for one small part to say he has helped.
“A lot of it has been completed during last week’s heat wave, so it has been even more difficult than intended as heat-induced fatigue is a leading symptom of MS.
“This has made it quite draining, getting up early to run and then rushing to work but it’s something that needs to be done.
“It’s just another hurdle to get over rather than a reason to stop.”
Click here to sponsor Owen and Zoe in their month-long challenge.