"Though it’s hard, it’s nowhere near as hard as life has been for my brothers" – Darren’s story

Tell us about your connection to CF

I’m the oldest of four brothers. Two of them (Jamie and Nicky) have cystic fibrosis. Neither were diagnosed until later in life. When we were growing up they always seemed to be ill and regularly contracted chest infections. They had their tonsils and adenoids out and then finally, years later, the doctors identified that they both had CF. 

Me and my other brother are very fit and heathy fit, so you could say they got the short straw. But all things considered, they are doing okay. The older brother with CF (Jamie) has passed 40, has two kids and is still working. The other (Nicky) is stepfather to two kids and putting on weight (something unheard of a couple of years ago).

The modulator medication is really helping. When they were first diagnosed they were in and out of hospital and now they don’t go back that often. Despite both having CF, they both have different issues. Jamie has an issue with his pancreas and has had to take Creon with his food for years. One Christmas, he was eating loads (as you do) but still ended up losing weight. My youngest brother Nicky has more of an issue with his lungs and has had very severe flare ups over the years. However, a friend of mine’s niece had CF and sadly passed away at 15, after having a lung transplant, so I know how bad it can be.

How did you come up with your running challenge idea?

I’ve been umming and ahhing about doing a running challenge for a very long time and have done a few running events in my time, like the Faversham 10k. So I decided I would do my own fundraising challenge, running at least 5km every day for a year. I started on the day of the London Marathon 2025 and will finish by taking part in the London Marathon 2026.

How’s the challenge been going?

So far I have just completed day 265 without missing a single day. On average I run about 50km every week, so distance was never going to be an issue. The hardest part of the challenge has been the logistics. Trying to fit in being a single father of two children (11 and 8) while holding a full time job and everything else life has to offer has been such a challenge, but as I get closer to the end of my challenge, I have crazy thoughts of continuing.

Running over the summer was also a bit of a challenge with the weather being so hot. The cooler weather definitely makes things a bit easier, although it is very difficult to be prepared for what the weather holds in the UK - sunny one day, raining the next, although I am yet to encounter the snow.

I’ve have really enjoyed seeing how good it’s been for my fitness. There has been noticeable progression in all distances I have run and I’ve beaten my PB several times! So far I have run in lots of events as part of my challenge such as Saxon Shore 10K, Whitstable & Herne Bay Summer 10K, Sandwich 10k, Sittingbourne Striders 10mile, Faversham 10k, Givaudian Ashford 10k, Hertfordshire Half Marathon, and Thanet Coastal 10mile. However, the highlight so far has to be competing in the Great North Run - what an experience, with so many people supporting, it was amazing!

I have also managed to do a few running themed sponsorship events, including a special event at my work. They’ve been very supportive of me in my fundraising and pulled down a fence so I could do my 5k for that day by running round the building 50 times. To boost donations colleagues would donate to vote on my outfit for the run (they chose a dress) and to soak me with water at the hydration stations as I ran round!

Though this has been a tough challenge, it’s nowhere near as hard as life has been for my brothers, and others living with CF, so it’s is my pleasure to take this on.

I’ve raised £1380 so far but it is now time to accelerate my sponsorship efforts over the next few months while building up my training ready for the London Marathon in April. 

You can follow Darren’s fundraising challenge here and here