Banding together for a cause very close to their hearts, three siblings and their brother-in-law are lacing up in preparation for the 2024 London Marathon.
The Marrow family – or team Marrow-thon as they go by – are set to tackle one of most gruelling events of the sporting calendar come Sunday, and have so far raised a staggering £20k for Alzheimer’s Society.
In 2019, Chris Marrow, a lifelong Stoke City supporter and father of four who resides in Merton, was diagnosed with early-onset Alheimer’s at the age of 56.
It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the whole family to reconcile themselves with the relentless impact of this cruel disease, experiencing its damaging effects firsthand.
Chris’ children Alex, Ben and Abigail will be joined by their brother-in-law Dave Baker on the start line, who is representing Elspeth, the eldest of the four.
Alex, 31, said: “The training has not been hugely fun, but thankfully we will be able to draw on our mental reserves and think: ‘I’m doing this for Dad’.
“Hopefully that can give us the extra burst of energy when we need it.”
Chris was adopted and raised in Stoke-on-Trent in a small terrace house before venturing off to university, where he met his wife, Edwina.
He then moved to London to pursue a career in the city, where he has remained for the past 40 years.
Alex said: “The hardest thing to come to terms with is the fact that Dad worked extremely hard throughout his career, and right at the moment when he was about to retire and enjoy what he had earnt, he lost that ability.
“It would be quite nice to get out and play a round of golf with him, but that’s just something we can’t do now – it’s a real shame.”
Chris’ Alzheimer’s presents an anomaly in its early onset, manifesting noticeable signs of memory loss at the age of 52, which have since escalated notably as he has reached the age of 61.
“You would think of someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia as someone very doddery, very old and with grey hair, unable to move that well,” Alex added.
“But with Dad it’s different, he’s so young.”
Abigail, 29, was one of the instigators behind team Marrow-thon, spearheading the fight to make a difference through physical activity.
She said: “For the last two years I have been wanting to do a marathon, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to raise money for such a good cause in Alzheimer’s Society.
“Dad has always been a keen runner so it feels like the right thing to do, and doing it in a team with my siblings and Dave has been the best motivator.
“We know we are all in it together and we know it’s for a great cause.”
The Alzheimer’s Society usually set a target of £2k to be raised per person running for them, and often decline those who think they are unable to achieve this.
Through donations from family, friends and colleagues, as well as through three significant fundraising events, the Marrow family have smashed their recommended figure of £8k out of the park by raising over £20k.
Abigail said: “I’ve been renovating a house at the same time, so having time to do everything whilst being physically tired and working full time has been the most gruelling part.
“But Elspeth’s initial social media post got the ball rolling and seeing the donations come in was another real motivator for me.”
Just like Abigail, Ben had been wanting to do a marathon for a while, so jumped at the chance and was the first to be accepted due to his prior running experience.
At 27, Ben felt he was in peak physical condition and felt it a perfect opportunity to stand up for his father.
He said: “I’m not really sure how we’ve raised that much.
“I thought the original £8k was doable, but we didn’t think we could get anywhere near where we are now, it’s down to a combination of things.
“I think the story is quite appealing. The fact that we are doing it as a team, and that Dad was diagnosed so early on.
“I think it’s also a sign of people’s appreciation of Mum and Dad, really.
“They both do a lot of things for a lot of people – always have done. I think it’s a show of gratitude for that, in part.”
Although Chris’ condition has deteriorated in recent years and the general confusion he has been hit with is gradually worsening, his happy character still shines through.
Ben added: “He’s always cracking one-liners, he’s probably more funny than he was before diagnosis.
“The support has been amazing and it’s really lovely to see how much people really care about Dad.”
Dave, 32, is running on behalf of his wife Elspeth, the eldest of the four Marrow children, as she was pregnant with their second child when the decision to run was made back in July of last year.
After becoming a father of two, Dave’s training for the marathon has not been easy but, after seeing what his father-in-law has been struck with, he has sufficient motivation.
He said: “It’s a sacrifice, but it’s in honour of the person who has sacrificed everything for the family that I am now part of.
“It’s nothing in comparison to what Chris has done in his lifetime.
“Most of the time I’ve known Chris, he has been struggling with Alzheimer’s, so hearing the stories of what he was like before has really spurred me on.”
Dave also said that the impact this whole process has had has been nothing short of positive, especially on his wife, Elspeth, who feels more comfortable opening up about her father’s condition.
Elspeth, alongside her mother Edwina, has taken a more behind-the-scenes approach, displaying proficient organisational skills and keen motivation to put the fundraisers together.
Abigail said: “In a way, Elspeth and Edwina’s role has been bigger than ours.
“Mum is the primary caregiver for Dad and my sister has two children.
“They are incredible organisers who have done so much while dealing with their own stress of family life.”
Elspeth, 33, while on maternity leave, was able to devote the time needed to get the ball rolling by calling up lots of local businesses to get donations and raffle prizes.
She said: “All three fundraising events have been intertwined through music – it’s fitting, really, as Dad is one of the big reasons we are all into music.
“At first I would never have predicted that we would raise as much as £20k, it’s amazing.
“Seeing the amount of support that we have received and the number of people who have reached out – even those we aren’t so close with anymore – is incredible.
“The whole process has helped us come together – we’re stronger together.”
Edwina, 61, has also played a major role in bringing the fundraising events to life and, even though she isn’t running in the marathon herself, has become extremely invested in it.
She said: “I am so proud of my children and Dave for taking on the challenge, committing to it and working so hard to overcome it.
“I see the love with which the children want to support their father, the determination to do the very best they can for The Alzheimer’s Society because they see firsthand what it’s doing to people like us.
“The message on the JustGiving page which describes Chris’ story has brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone that has read it.
“It’s astonishing to see the number of people who have donated.
“I’m surprised by people’s generosity but, at the same time, not surprised, because Chris has always been loved.
“His stamina throughout it all is incredible – he’s still cheerful and funny.
“In spite of not being able to do things, he’s still got that sparkle.”
You can find out more about Chris’ story and donate to team Marrow-thon here.
