Saturday, 25 April 2026
Fundraising
This Sunday, Jonathan Beaton is running the 2026 TCS London Marathon for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in memory of one of his closest friends, Scott Stewart. Scott died from motor neuron disease (MND) in December 2024, just 18 months after his diagnosis.
The two friends grew up together, meeting as teenagers at school and quickly forming a close bond that lasted into adulthood. Reflecting on their friendship, Jonathan said: “Scott was just a really, really good guy. He was captain of the rugby team, an amazing golfer, and one of those people that no one ever had a bad word to say about. He was incredibly genuine.”
Despite initially feeling intimidated by Scott when he joined Dollar Academy at 14, Jonathan soon found a friendship that would shape his life. He added: “We lived in a small community and spent a lot of time together. We both loved sport, although he was much better than me at everything. But he was always patient, always encouraging. That was just who he was.”
Scott had a particular fondness of golf, which stayed with him beyond his diagnosis. A scratch golfer and lifelong fan of the game, he remained determined to raise awareness of MND and support the Foundation. He set up Team Rae, named after his daughter who was born seven months before he died, so that she could grow up in the knowledge that her Dad did everything he could to change the future for those living with MND.
In 2025, the Genesis Scottish Open named a stand in Scott’s honour at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, a place filled with special memories for his family.
Reflecting on his motivation to run, Jonathan explained: “I wanted to do something to help. I tried to get a place while Scott was still with us, because I wanted to show him I was doing my bit to support his own fundraising efforts. I just never managed to get in.”
This year, Jonathan secured a charity place through the Foundation, something that meant a great deal to him.
Not a natural runner, Jonathan admitted he came to marathon training later in life.
“I’ve never really enjoyed running,” he said. “I still wouldn’t say I love it, but I enjoy it more than I thought I would.”
Training through the winter months on the East Lothian coast has tested both his physical and mental resilience.
“It’s been tough at times, dark, cold, really windy,” he says. “But when it gets hard, you remind yourself why you’re doing it. If you’d asked me six months ago, I’d have said there’s no way I could run 20 miles. But building up gradually, you realise it is possible.”
On marathon day, Jonathan knows exactly what will help him through the toughest moments.
If it gets painful, I’ll think about Scott and what he went through. It just puts everything into perspective.
Alongside the physical challenge, Jonathan has already raised more than £10,000 to support the Foundation, and what Scott started.
And it turns out London won’t be Jonathan’s only marathon this year. He has already signed up for the Marathon du Médoc in September - a famously unconventional race through the vineyards of Bordeaux, featuring fancy dress and stops for wine, steak and oysters.
“We thought while we were reasonably fit, we might as well do another one,” Jonathan said. “It’s a bit different to London, but it should be good fun.”
After months of battling coastal winds and long winter training runs, it will be a very different kind of challenge to look forward to.
Paul Thompson, our Director of Fundraising and Communications, said: “The way Jonathan talks about Scott is exactly how we found him. Kind, talented and determined. His commitment to raising awareness of MND left a lasting mark on the Foundation and our community.
“Jonathan’s efforts to honour him through the marathon are hugely important. Supporters like him enable us to fund the research needed to accelerate progress towards effective treatments for this brutal disease. We’re grateful to him, and all our other London Marathon runners, for supporting us.”
To donate to Jonathan's JustGiving page and support his efforts, click here.
If you're feeling keen and inspired to push yourself and raise some money for MND research, then take a look at our challenge events page here.
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