A former soldier who was discharged from the Army with PTSD is set to run 236 miles for charity – starting his epic journey in Salford .
Darren Hardy has taken on the challenge of running 10 consecutive marathons in 100 hours to help save a young girl from a rare and life-threatening disease. The 36-year-old will set off from MediaCity at 8am on Wednesday (April 6).
Darren was inspired to raise money for 13-year-old Aggie Candy-Waters, who suffers from a neurodegenerative condition called H-ABC.
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The severe form of TUBB4a leukodystrophy disrupts myelin surrounding nerves, leading to disruption of the signals between nerve cells in the brain.
Patients can develop seizures, muscle contractions, hearing and speech difficulties and uncontrollable limb movements. There is currently no cure but new research is being carried out to find an effective treatment.
Darren, from Fleet in Hampshire, said: “I’m not embarking on this light-heartedly. “I’m going to need to draw on every ounce of motivation and determination to make it through. I am fascinated about testing the limitations of the human body, but this one is going to truly hurt.”
Having been medically discharged from the army with PTSD in 2017, Darren’s mental health saw him on the verge of taking his own life. Saved by the support of his family and training for ever more extreme physical challenges, he regularly refers to his bid to push human performance further than ever as “his therapy”.
Darren is no stranger to extreme endurance challenges. Last year, he ran 131 miles (211km) along the south coast and broke two world records by pulling a car.
“After the south coast challenge, I was ruined for months, so that puts the enormity of this into context,” he added. “I got to know Aggie and her family last year, and we formed a deep bond.
“I felt angry and frustrated that more couldn’t be done. The injustice of her condition and the lack of a treatment just hit home. That’s when I found there was hope. There were people around the world working on a treatment, but there just wasn’t the funding to complete it.”
“Ever since then I’ve done whatever I can to help – even putting my body on the line. A massive part of the motivation to get to the finish line is the knowledge that every step I take is helping Aggie and children like her live a longer, more fulfilled life.”
As part of his mission, Darren will also visit three young H-ABC patients and biotech company SynaptixBio, which is developing the treatment for TUBB4a leukodystrophy.
“Darren is a modern-day superhero,” says Ali Candy Waters, Aggie’s mum. “He’s willing to risk his own health and push his body to the absolute limit - all to help our little girl. We really can’t thank him enough, and hope that the country gets behind him.”
Darren is asking anyone who wants to join him on his challenge to meet him at the MediaCity plaza at 7.45am on Wednesday (April 6). To follow his progress click here .
For more information and to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/darren-hardy123 .
